A debuting on Sunday at the Salão das Carochas venue in the former Ermida do Espírito Santo in Almada, this Arte 33 production, featuring an original text “that inscribes itself in new dramaturgies,” is based on research conducted with the Almada Archaeology Center about facts, fictions, and founding myths of the city, the cultural center added.
‘Uma pedra no sapato’ emerged from a community theater project initiated in 2024, which totaled over 250 hours of workshops open to community participation, in search of Almada’s collective identity.
The action takes place in the old Ermida do Espírito Santo in Almada. The performance, where sharing the space ends up creating conflicts and discussions, as some characters want to perform texts linked to that city, such as ‘Frei Luís de Sousa’ by Almeida Garrett, and ‘Auto da Índia’ by Gil Vicente.
Others wish to create an experimental show based on improvisations about the arrival of the Phoenicians on the south bank of the Tagus River, some want to recreate the Siege of Almada, narrated by Fernão Lopes, and still others insist on creating a musical show, arguing that Almada is “the cradle” of many bands in Portuguese music history.
In a comedic tone, the conflict reveals eleven characters who evoke the history and memories of the village and city of Almada, “separated and connected to Lisbon by the Tagus River, which distances and brings together opposite shores and their people, generating a unique socio-cultural landscape and environment,” added the 33 nucleus.
The play is authored by Francisco Silva and Rui Silvares, with set design by Rui Pinto, costumes by Alice Rolo, and props by Cláudia Martins.
Rui Oliveira oversees musical direction and choirs, while lighting design is by Gabriel Afonso.
The cast includes Ana Saltão, António Olaio, Carlos Antunes, Elsa Viegas, José Vaz de Almada, Francisco Silva, Carla Antónia Silva, Cláudia Martins, Fernando Emanuel Pinheiro, Isabel Martins, and Raquel Caldeira.
The show runs until July 20 and can be seen from Thursday to Saturday at 9 p.m., and on Sunday at 6 p.m.
