The Leirena Teatro, under the dramaturgy and direction of José Carretas, presents “Muros que unem,” a theatrical piece inspired by the traditional dry stone walls of the Aire and Candeeiros mountain ranges, encompassing Porto de Mós, and the Sicó region, which includes the municipalities of Ansião and Pombal.
During the performance, actors construct a dry stone wall on stage, using three tons of limestone to build a structure six meters long, 1.20 meters high, and half a meter wide.
“This wall is not meant to divide but to unite. It is an artistic object, present on stage with us, representing a vast territory,” explained Frédéric da Cruz Pires, head of the Leiria theater company and co-director with José Carretas.
Combining professional actors from Leirena with amateurs from the three municipalities, who have previously collaborated with the company, this production is described by the director as a “comedy of loves.” The central conflict revolves around the wall, which starts in ruins and evolves throughout the 90-minute performance, continuously involving the community on stage.
“The beauty of this production, beyond the challenge of transporting three tons of stone, is the involvement of these 54 individuals who will be present during the premiere [in Porto de Mós], the reprise in Ansião, and again in Pombal in 2026,” said Frédéric da Cruz Pires.
He further explained, “Muros que unem” is about creating an unusual spectacle involving 54 people from three municipalities, highlighting the synergy and participation between different communities.
Despite the demanding nature of the production, Pires acknowledged the rewarding effort involved.
“These people are accustomed to working with us on other projects, and here they have the opportunity to meet individuals from different municipalities who also perform with us. It’s remarkable to manage three tons of stone and 54 people in a nine-by-nine meter area and to bring all the necessary equipment to unconventional theater spaces. The process is incredibly enriching,” he added.
“Muros que unem” was developed over recent months during three artistic residencies in Porto de Mós, Pombal, and Ansião, involving field and studio research to create the dramaturgy. Meanwhile, Leirena rehearsed with local groups in each municipality.
The premiere is scheduled for Saturday at 9:30 PM at the Centro Cultural Recreativo Desportivo Arrimal in the Arrimal parish, Porto de Mós. Two additional performances are planned: on the 22nd at the Centro de Negócios de Ansião and on May 24, 2026, at Explore Sicó in Pombal.
