Theaters, like cinemas, are often places where natural light does not enter. They are the domain of light from projectors and projections, manipulated according to the will of art. The narrative of Black Comedy, a play written by Peter Shaffer in 1965, develops around a lack of energy that subjects a group of characters to complete darkness. There is a problem with a fuse that leaves an artist’s house without power. But the theatricalization of the story is based on an inversion: when the characters are still in a lighted space, Shaffer places them in darkness. The public does not see them. On the contrary, when the characters are effectively in the dark, Shaffer illuminates them and the audience can see how they behave when they think they are not being seen. They try to understand where the furniture is so as not to bump into it, they accidentally exchange glasses with alcoholic drinks with others with non-alcoholic drinks, they almost collide with each other without knowing it. Only spectators see what is going on: how people allow themselves to behave when no one is watching, and the atrocities they are capable of. In this time of over-exposure to privacy, Shaffer’s piece shows what happens in invisibility.
Black Comedy debuts at Sala Mário Viegas at Teatro São Luiz – the same room where, in 1995, Mário Viegas presented it. In his translation, he called it Uma Comédia à Escuras and, in the program, he clarified: “I chose this play to amuse ourselves and the public, of course. (…) The characters are not going to teach anyone anything. (…) Another aspect that I want to strongly emphasize is that the younger actors have, here, a great opportunity to show their abilities before the public”.
BLACK COMEDY
by Peter ShafferShow by Finalist Students of the Actors and Production Branches of the Degree in Theater, of the Escola Superior de Teatro e Cinema guidance Professor Jorge Andrade
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24 to 27 June
Saturday , Monday and Tuesday, 19h30; Sunday, 16h
Sala Mário Viegas
1h30 aprox.
Free admission, subject to room capacity. Collection of 50% of tickets online the day before and 50% on the day, at the ticket office from 3pm onwards, maximum 2 tickets per person.
12+
Description
Cast and Creative
Students from the Acting branch Daniela Cecília, Inês Mata, Jacinta Correia, Margarida Martins, Mia Henriques, Pedro Monteiro, Pedro Tavares, Rita Gonçalves and Nídia Cardoso Production branch students António Serrão, Beatriz Abelha, Lara R. Santos and Mariana Correia ESTC Pedagogical Team Andreia Carneiro, Jorge Andrade, Manuel Abrantes and Miguel Cruz Voice Support Maria Repas Support for the Movement Jean Paul Bucchieri production office Rute Reis and Rui Girão PRODUCTION OFFICE Rute Reis and Rui Girão acknowledgements Jorge Relvas, José Capela, Luísa Cortez, Maria Ana Mendes, Miguel Pereira and Escola do Largo