The life of former Prime Minister José Sócrates will be brought to the stage at the Tivoli BBVA Theater in Lisbon on April 1, 2026. “Sr. Engenheiro,” described as “allegedly a musical,” tells the story of the former head of government “from his humble beginnings in the Beiras to his life in Paris,” culminating in the trial for corruption.
Starring actor Manuel Marques, who is himself a defendant in a domestic violence case, the musical is written by Henrique Dias and directed by Rui Melo, two of the creators of the RTP series “Pôr do Sol.” It will also debut at the Coliseu Porto Ageas in Porto from May 14 to 17.
Following the childhood and youth stages, “there is a very generous best friend, an advisor who firmly believes in him, a driver who knows too much, and Sunday degrees,” as well as “a prosecutor who will try to discern where friendship ends and favor begins, despite Mr. Engineer’s continued belief that it’s all just a conspiracy,” the promoter stated in a press release.
“Sr. Engenheiro” is described as “a chronicle of customs, a socio-political portrait of a world of photocopies, wiretaps, and very close friends,” and the rest must be “discovered live, as in theater – unlike legal proceedings – there is no judicial secrecy.”
“The play follows the tradition of the Portuguese chronicle of customs, using a humorous approach to events that are already part of the national collective imagination,” it reads.
Tickets are available for pre-sale until 9:59 a.m. on November 24 on the Ticketline website.
