Isabel Costa and Catarina Rolo Salgueiro, the co-authors of the play, drew inspiration from Ray Bradbury’s ‘Fahrenheit 451’ to create ‘Burn burn burn,’ focusing on the theme of fire and societal relationships, be it within the home or with those close to us.
Catarina Rolo Salgueiro, who also directs the piece, had previously read the dystopian science fiction work and suggested a joint reading with Isabel Costa, as she told Lusa, marking the inception of their creation.
The authors were less interested in the sci-fi aspects of the book, originally published in 1953, and more drawn to examining the “justifications for book burning in a society lacking critical thinking,” Isabel Costa emphasized.
The result is a play set in 2025 in a public library, heavily influenced by Bradbury’s compelling arguments for and against a more liberated society with access to literature. Isabel Costa stressed that it is “not an adaptation” of Bradbury’s novel.
Apart from the “historical and literary surprise” of the book’s “striking relevance to current times,” what truly amazed the creators was “Bradbury’s mastery in crafting such well-integrated arguments.”
At the heart of the public library, there’s a reading club that brings together people with diverse personalities and opinions.
As they read portions of the book and discuss it, without ever mentioning its title, club members immediately illustrate how “literature can divide and create discord, which is one of the main arguments for its annihilation,” argued Isabel Costa.
With differing and deeply personal opinions, the reading club participants take their views to the extreme, “almost as if they were laws,” leading to “an automatic and significant conflict and a breakdown in communication among them.”
This failure to communicate escalates to the point where reading club members transform into characters from Bradbury’s work, including the protagonist Guy Montag, the fire chief Beatty, or the free-spirited Clarisse McClellan.
The library also houses a recording studio with two characters, portrayed by Catarina Rolo Salgueiro and Isabel Costa, who observe the unfolding action and discuss a range of topics, from a book burning in Alexandria to modern-day events.
The library set includes two nearly three-meter tall bookshelves filled with books, library tables, and a cozy corner with a sofa and a television—elements that ultimately get consumed by flames.
Despite its “ironic” title, Isabel Costa describes the show as “quite hopeful, contrasting with the times we are living in.”
The creators aimed to present “a large metaphor for the events of 2025,” acting as an exaggeration of “distraction maneuvers by extremisms,” yet the play offers a “redeeming” conclusion, Isabel Costa highlighted.
The play intends “to celebrate literature,” as it helps us “strengthen our minds with deep thoughts and arguments, enabling us to debate and, at the very least, discuss and disagree without the need for censorship of diverse thought and opinions,” she stressed.
The key takeaway is to understand “that if we continue to behave as we have been, democracy will not function,” concluded Isabel Costa.
Performances are scheduled for Thursday and Friday at 9:00 PM, and Saturday at 7:00 PM at the Emílio Rui Vilar auditorium.
The Friday performance provides English subtitles, while Saturday’s includes audio description and Portuguese Sign Language interpretation.
On November 3 at 11 AM, a performance will be held for schools.
‘Burn, burn, burn’ features its authors and directors, along with Beatriz Brás, João Pedro Mamede, João Pedro Vaz, Leonardo Garibaldi, Leonor Buescu, and Tomás Alves.
Anna Leppänen assists with direction, Joana Subtil with set design, Nádia Henriques with costumes, Manuel Abrantes with lighting design, and Miguel Nicolau with sound design and musical composition.
The play is produced by Os Possessos and Culturgest, in co-production with Teatro-Cine Torres Vedras.
