The National Theatre D. Maria II in Rossio Square, Lisbon, reopens its doors after four years of closure due to one of the largest renovations in recent decades. This theatre continues its activities with the play 'Macbeth' by William Shakespeare, which was staged during the fire in 1964 at the same theatre. This choice was made as a provocative gesture by Pedro Penim, the artistic director and director of this work.
History and Symbolism of 'Macbeth'
Pedro Penim, as the director and artistic director of the National Theatre D. Maria II, mentioned in an interview that 'Macbeth' is known as a cursed play with various stories of events and misfortunes throughout history. He said: "Every time this play is staged, it seems that unfortunate events occur. Therefore, I decided not only to challenge fate but also to connect with the history of the theatre itself."
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The reopening project faced challenges. Initially, it was planned to use a translation by Manuel Bandeira, a Brazilian poet, but the rights managers of this work did not respond to requests, and Penim had to translate Shakespeare's text himself. This translation will now be published as a book.
Production and Acting Talents
This production also pays homage to its theatre. The set design by Joana Sousa depicts the iconic building in Rossio Square, and one of the characters is Queen Maria II herself. Renovation works on the building have also improved the technical and artistic conditions of the main hall, giving new life to 'Macbeth'. The stage now has the capability to rotate and rise, and updates have been made to the lighting, sound, and stage machinery systems.
In this production, which is estimated to last two and a half hours, Pedro Penim has used actors he has previously worked with. In the role of Macbeth, José Raposo, one of the country's most beloved actors, performs. He stated: "This production carries a lot of weight and conveys a greater sense of responsibility to us." Bárbara Branco, as Lady Macbeth, drives the story forward and explained: "This is a very ambitious production technically and utilizes many facilities in the theatre."
The anticipation for the return to the Garrett hall at D. Maria II is currently evident at the box office: due to the longer-than-usual season, tickets have sold out quickly, leaving only seats with limited views available. 'Macbeth' begins on Friday, September 18, and will continue until October 31.
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