Embracing the challenge of Shakespeare’s work, Thiago Lacerda will perform a new production at the Time Out studio in Lisbon, featuring characters from “Hamlet,” “Measure for Measure,” and “Macbeth.” He describes the show as an introspective exercise that reveals the “most intimate and frightening” sides of these characters to the audience.
Lacerda returns to Lisbon after directing an adaptation of José Saramago’s “The Gospel According to Jesus Christ” in 2004. Known for his role in the 1999 telenovela “Terra Nostra,” Lacerda now explores human nature’s dilemmas, illustrated by the struggles faced by Hamlet, Angelo, and Macbeth.
Developed during the COVID-19 pandemic through a collaboration initiated in 2012 with Ron Daniels, the show aims to “break the aura of erudition surrounding Shakespeare’s work” by presenting stories in a simpler and more direct manner.
The production “Quem Está Aí?” features a minimal setup of merely a table and a chair, providing an intimate stage for Lacerda to engage with Shakespearean thought without adopting a colloquial aspect.
Reflecting on Shakespeare’s relevance, Lacerda highlights themes such as “human corruption and the struggle for power,” asserting that these issues remain pertinent today.
“As long as there is a single human being walking around, the conflicts presented are urgent and immediate,” he stated, emphasizing the timeless nature of Shakespeare’s works despite being centuries old.
Lacerda noted the universality of these themes, particularly in contexts of war, corruption, and human contradiction, saying, “It’s all in Shakespeare.”
Discussing the potential of staging Camus’ monologue “The Plague” in Portugal, which premiered in São Paulo last year under Daniels’ direction, Lacerda revealed plans to return with a set itinerary for Porto and Lisbon, without confirming specific dates or locations.
The touring production aims to reach Portuguese-speaking countries, possibly revisiting Angola and traveling to Cape Verde, Mozambique, and other locations to engage audiences with Camus’ existentialist philosophy.
Directed by Ron Daniels with text translations by Marcos Daud and music by Jordi Savali, “Quem Está Aí?” will have additional performances at the Time Out studio on November 30, December 1, 2, and 3, and at M.Ou.Co. in Porto on December 4, with the latter evening session already sold out.
