By Asemana
Africa-Press – Cape verde. The lights come on and João Paulo Brito takes the stage at the Jorge Barbosa national auditorium, in Praia, for the rehearsal of the play “Cabral, the last moon of a big man”, a co-production by the companies Sikinada (Cape Verde) and Teatro Art ‘Image (Portugal).
Bringing Amílcar Cabral to life – the historical leader of the independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde – was already an old idea and takes it to the stage on National Heroes Day, a holiday in Cape Verde (and Guinea-Bissau), marking 51 years after being murdered, in Conakry, in a show adapted from the novel by Mário Lúcio Sousa with the same title (Don Quixote, 2022).
“Today is the day I’m going to die”, cries the character, suitcase in hand, between cut-out panels that stand out like trees, which symbolize both Cabral’s basic training (agronomy), and the landscapes he covered or the different ramifications of his life, which will be remembered over the course of 75 minutes.
This begins a monologue interspersed with multimedia elements – sounds, historical recordings, photos, images projected on trees –, with which Cabral interacts to remember memorable moments, reinforce his thoughts or reflect on himself.
A voice bursts across the stage, from time to time, to indicate the time, while Amílcar opens and closes his suitcase, changes his clothes and even shaves, reproducing the routines of his last day, as if counting down.
“Your life is in that suitcase”, says Elisabete Gonçalves, responsible for the scenography and costumes, who was inspired by the suitcase displayed at the Casa-Museu Amílcar Cabral, in Praia, to find the most similar model.
The research extended to several pieces of wardrobe, including the “sumbia”, a traditional cap, which was offered by peasants from Oio (Guinea-Bissau) to the independence leader, who has worn it ever since, creating the image of brand that endures – and that João Paulo Brito recreates on stage.
“In a monologue you are more alone”, but the new show “was a team effort, with several contributions”, describes the actor, who welcomes the responsibility of playing an iconic figure with open arms, seeing it as a challenge.
João Paulo Brito remembers when, in 2018, ideas aligned, in a meeting with Mário Lúcio Sousa – who was about to launch the book – and Flávio Hamilton, from the Teatro Art’Imagem team (Porto) and director of the new show.
“If it doesn’t please everyone”, at least “there should be dialogue”, says Flávio Hamilton, noting that the show can surprise, as it “gives access” to a more human side of Amílcar Cabral, in addition to the iconic narrative.
“The trajectory of the historical figure is there, but probably not the most focused side”, he describes, while matching the steps of one of the moments of the show, alongside João Paulo Brito.
The premiere is scheduled for Saturday, at 8:00 pm (9:00 pm in Lisbon), at the Jorge Barbosa national auditorium, in Praia, Cape Verde, but Flávio Hamilton hopes to take the co-production to other places.
For May, a week is scheduled in Maia, Portugal, home of Art’Imagem, there are also contacts with Guinea-Bissau and the ambition to visit other areas of Lusophony.
The show is part of a set of civil society activities included in the celebrations presented by the Amílcar Cabral Foundation, in Praia, to mark the centenary of the birth of the historical figure (September 12), which is celebrated this year.
Asemana
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