The National Theatre D. Maria II located in Rossio Square Lisbon finally opens its doors to the public after nearly four years of closure. This reopening is marked by the performance of 'Macbeth' by William Shakespeare, which was on stage before the fire in 1964. This choice is presented as a symbolic act by Pedro Penim, the director and artistic manager of the theatre, and is seen as a challenge against the numerous events and accidents in the history of theatre.
Historical and Symbolic Challenges
Pedro Penim has stated: "This is a kind of tragedy in our theatre's history, and this play, known as a cursed play, has never been performed again." The play 'Macbeth', as a Shakespearean tragedy, has seen numerous stories of unfortunate events and accidents over the centuries: injured actors, the replacement of props with real weapons, and fatal falls. Penim continues: "Every time this play is performed, it seems that misfortunes occur. Therefore, I decided not only to challenge fate but also to connect with the history of the theatre itself, especially as we are facing the 180th anniversary of the National Theatre D. Maria II.
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Complex Production and Performance
Setting up a production of this magnitude was not without challenges. Initially, Penim intended to use the translation by Brazilian poet Manuel Bandeira, the same translation used in the unsuccessful 1964 performance. However, the unresponsiveness of the rights holders forced him to translate Shakespeare's text himself. The translation Penim has done will soon be published as a book. He has sought to preserve the Portuguese language in a way that aligns with Shakespeare's poetry while also being understandable for contemporary audiences.
The performance also pays homage to its theatre: the set design by Joana Sousa recreates the exterior of the iconic building, and one of the characters is Queen Maria II herself. Renovation work on the building has 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 lighting, sound, and stage machinery.
This performance features popular actors such as José Raposo as Macbeth and Bárbara Branco as Lady Macbeth. Raposo comments on this production: "This is a production that carries a heavy burden, especially due to the symbolism of this bridge that Penim has built." The show will run from October 18 to October 31 and has faced widespread ticket sales, with tickets selling out quickly and only seats with limited views remaining.
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