the Gate
a narrativa da descodificação da solidão dos seresM.12 . 01h00
Two beings in a seaside location speak to one another, in an undefined space and time. A challenge to the power of interpreting objects, in a relationship that pits the actor-puppeteer against the dramatic power of manipulating the moving figure on stage.
One of the characters, whose name changes with every sentence, is constantly on the move. Pondering this need of his—whether it is a search, a quest, or an escape—questions remain unanswered regarding our inability to often stand still and devote time to reflection and the personal enjoyment of small, symbolic things happening around us that require tranquility, calm, and time to be savored. The second character lives in that place, by the sea, and has the task of opening a gate every morning, which she then closes daily in the afternoon before sunset. Thus, this character is confronted with the meaning of her role—closing off something that belongs to everyone—and the question of ownership over everything that surrounds us. The task of opening and closing the gate that prevents everyone from accessing this enjoyment is a position of questioning or merely that of an executor.
This creation stems from a long-distance dialogue between the actress and a psychologist and writer. This original text, written in 2021, reflects on objectives, confronting ambitions and desires with the obligations and roles of human beings in the society that surrounds them. The production combines image with text, bringing together actors with figures rich in symbolism. The choice was to employ performance techniques that imbue the puppet with discursive capacity, creating the narrative through the accentuated figure of the object-actor. This production explores the interpretive capacity of objects and figures by uniting the actor with the puppeteer.
During the pandemic in Portugal, many written and telephone conversations emerged—philosophical dialogues that pondered human behavior, our ambitions, anxieties, and frustrations—and it became clear in the construction of this narrative that the stage would be the destination for this conversation to be shared with the audience. The process of creating monologues with puppets and objects involves great physical and mental effort because it entails a complete deconstruction of the symbolism they originally possess.
download
O PORTÃO - POSTAL.ZIP 13 MBO PORTÃO - ROLL-UP.ZIP 122.5 MB
OPORTAO - CLASSIFICAÇÃO ETÁRIA -- PT.PDF 52.3 KB
OPORTAO - DESENHO DE LUZ -- PT.PDF 479.4 KB
OPORTAO - RIDER TÉCNICO -- PT.ODT 20.9 KB
OPORTAO - RIDER TÉCNICO -- PT.PDF 63.9 KB
IMAGERY ARCHIVE PROMO 179.6 MB
IMAGERY ARCHIVE PHOTO SESSION 500.2 MB
IMAGERY ARCHIVE DESIGN 33.8 KB
IMAGERY ARCHIVE DRAWINGS 3.9 MB
IMAGERY ARCHIVE PROTOTYPE 59.8 MB
PROMO DOSSIER - EN 2.3 MB
PROMO DOSSIER COMPRESSED - EN 1.4 MB
root creation
Original projects that aim to promote a broad artistic language and creative freedom for creators to challenge themselves artistically and dramatically, as well as in the exploration of interpretation, puppetry, and object theater. These creations are a fundamental reflection of their creators' concerns.We decided on this designation due to the genesis of the name that gives us rise — Mandrake (Mandrágora), a plant associated with a certain mysticism. That root is also the origin point of our structure, which, in a very many-skilled way, branches out in diverse paths. We're a creative team that considers and analyzes each other's personal concerns and also challenges itself that lead to discoveries which affirm the art of theater and, more specifically, of puppetry.
More than two decades later, this form and figure emerged in a long process of discovery. We went through collective creations, invited directors, and gave voice to the artists who make up the creative core of the structure. Therefore, we believe we've achieved a clearer way of indicating the potential paths and trajectories of a collective composed by individual choices.