The play “Ninguém,” which was set to feature actor António Capelo in Monção, located in the district of Viana do Castelo, has been canceled due to reasons beyond the control of Cine Teatro João Verde, where it was scheduled to occur at the beginning of September.
The cancellation was announced on the Cine Teatro’s Facebook page. Attempts to reach the actor by Observador were unsuccessful, as he declined to comment on the reasons for the cancellation of the play.
The publication also tried to contact Pedro Aparício, director of Teatro do Bolhão, which produces this monologue, but without success.
The cancellation comes at a time when António Capelo, aged 69, is under scrutiny following accusations of sexual harassment by several former students. The allegations prompted the Inspectorate General of Education and Science to open a “process of inquiries” at the Academia Contemporânea do Espetáculo (ACE) in Porto, where Capelo taught when these incidents allegedly occurred. It is also suggested that many of these incidents took place at this location.
The management of ACE, which included Pedro Aparício, resigned on September 11, stating that “this decision stems from the conviction that the current moment demands calm, stability, and the protection of the mission and values that ACE Escola de Artes represents.”
In a note shared on Instagram, the management emphasized “that the school must remain above any controversy” and that “creating a serene environment is essential to ensure the proper functioning of the newly started school year” as well as “the continuation of work for the community we serve.”
Capelo served as artistic director and taught at the institution, overseen by the Ministry of Education, until 2022. The allegations surfaced primarily on social media with the exposure of several messages allegedly sent by António Capelo to young individuals.
In a report to Notícias ao Minuto, a young man showed messages dating back to 2017, when he was in his early 20s. “You can come to have lunch in Paço de Arcos, I’ll treat,” Capelo allegedly wrote shortly after engaging him through Facebook.
Finding this invitation inappropriate, the young man did not respond further, yet the messages persisted.
Actor António Capelo faces accusations from several young individuals, including former students, of harassment. The behavior allegedly occurred over several years. The actor insists that the affection demonstrated held no inappropriate intent. The Left Bloc (BE) confirms receiving a complaint regarding “very serious acts” committed by the ex-agent.
The now-canceled play was announced in August – before the accusations emerged – marking Capelo’s return, described as a “reference figure in theater, cinema, and television in Portugal.” The play had toured “stages from north to south of the country, winning over audiences and critics,” and intertwined the “artistic journey of António Capelo with autobiographical voices of actors from the past two centuries, reflecting on concerns, stereotypes, and the essence of the profession.”
