The new play by one of the most promising young Brazilian directors and playwrights, co-produced by Culture.pl, is a reflection on the human condition and the passing of time as well as life decisions and their consequences. Moreira tells a story about time and the constant intermingling of past, present and future. The action takes place in two parallel spaces simultaneously, separated from one another on stage.
Moreira explains:
Spring may be regarded as two parallel plays, both taking part in the same place. What would be the moments of our lives that we could have lived, but we haven’t? We had the idea of two parallel lives that unravel at the same time. We have talked a lot with the cast about the choices we make in life. Some of them can change our further path entirely – they turn our life into another one. What remains is the tormenting question about the life we have abandoned for the sake of the present existence.
The script comes as a result of improvisations with actors on the topics of transience, lost chances and the fact that we are given only one life, one reality. The director continues:
We need to choose – we can’t have everything. We never really live ‘in the present’, instead we think about what we missed, about what could have been but isn’t. Maybe it would have been better, different, more exciting? Maybe I should have chosen something else, become somebody else, another version of myself. Borges wrote that when you make a decision for something to happen – something else doesn’t. I wanted to bring this idea to the stage. I constantly feel that my life could have been very different. In everyone’s life there is a moment – which I believe comes with age – when we ask ourselves uncomfortable questions, such as: Why am I doing what I am doing? Have I chosen right? Was it my choice at all?
Perception and gaps in the cognitive process are some of Moreira’s favourite topics. In 2007, the Brazilian director founded the Companhia Hiato theatre group, with whose regular cast he creates performances exploring different ways of perceiving reality. His 2008 debut production Cachorro Morto (Dead Dog) was nominated for FEMSA Awards in the categories of Outstanding Youth Play and Outstanding Set Design. His next work Escuro (Dark) got recognition at the 2010 Shell Awards, gaining awards in the following categories: in the categories: Outstanding Author, Outstanding Set Design and Outstanding Costume Design.
His third play O Jardim (The Garden) was nominated for the most important theatrical prizes in Brazil in 2012, and critics dubbed it the best play in recent years. It has since been presented in Berlin, Amsterdam, and New York.
Moreira’s newest production was possible thanks to the co-production with Kunstenfestivaldesarts in Brussels and the support of Culture.pl. Spring stars Monika Krzywkowska, Marta Juras, Marcin Bosak, Łukasz Simlat, Stanisław Brudny and Antoni Pawlicki. Script and direction: Leonardo Moreira; Music: Marcelo Pellegrini; Set Design and Lighting: Marisa Bentivegna; Costume Designer: Chris Aizner.
Spring will have its premiere on 4th March 2016 in the Studio Theatre in Warsaw. In the second half of the year, it will be presented to Brazilian audiences as part of a project presenting Polish culture in Brazil, organised by Culture.pl with Polish and Brazilian partner institutions.
Sources: PAP, Studio Theatre, compiled by AL, translated by OK, 01 March 2016