Fados that didn't know they could be, others that know they are, but in which there isn't even a small hint of the expected sadness and even some that aren't even sung. To these, all you have to do is add very old stories and, there they are, sad ones. The new show by Al-Masrah Theater «Conta-me Outros Fados» will premiere tomorrow, Wednesday, at Centro de Artes de Tavira, at 21 pm.
In this production by the Tavirense theater company, in partnership with Tavira Ilimitada, fado is sung, danced, told and even recited, almost without pre-defined ideas, not even the exclusivity of using the Portuguese language. Silence on the part of those watching continues to be imperative to give wings to both fado and all other genres that will be on stage.
More than a show about fado, this is intended to be an exercise in inclusion and celebration of multiculturalism. In addition to the culture of Portuguese-speaking countries and common cultural references, there is also talk of the Arab matrix that gave rise to these artistic expressions and which is also found in Spanish music and in the artistic manifestations of Hispanic countries.
The production is based on an original idea by Tela Leão, coordinator of the platform against racism and xenophobia Tavira Ilimitada, developed in conjunction with the director of Al-Masrah Pedro Ramos. The Algarvian actor is also the host, in this intimate piece, and is accompanied on stage by dancer Adriana Castro, fado singer Catarina Viegas and guitarist Hélder Viegas.
«These people who are here today got to know each other because they participated in different projects of Tavira Ilimitada. This platform ended up being used for people here to get to know each other, hear and see one another», explained Tela Leão.
“We ended up creating a multicultural project, not only because of the different nationalities of those participating in it, but which also works on a multicultural subject. We tried, from fado, to understand what this word means in the Portuguese language and how it is under the expression of feelings of various peoples», he added. «In the end, we are very similar», he considered.
«We brought together an actor, a dancer, a singer and a guitarist and we tried to put on a show that didn't just talk about Portuguese fado, but also playing with the similarities that fado has with other musical styles, such as flamenco, tango, the samba and the morna. Basically, everything is very similar», said Pedro Ramos.
On stage, the four performers play a game with the audience, through the fusion of different arts. And it is not always the dancer who dances, nor the fado singer who sings. Al-Masrah's piece is marked by dynamism and rapid change between styles, without losing coherence.
«Although people may think that fado is always something very heavy, we thought to start with a more serious part and gradually ease up, ending in the comic and reaching madness, in the final number. We tried to show as much diversity as possible within the concept», said the show's co-director.
In addition to presenting different musical genres on stage, a short historical introduction is made to explain each one of them. “It was very interesting for me to know many things that I didn't know about these musical genres”, confessed Pedro Ramos.
After the premiere, tomorrow, the piece can be seen at the Centro de Artes de Tavira until May 20th and May 23rd to 27th. A trip to Conceição de Tavira on June 2nd and Serpa, to the Festival Noites na Nora, on June 18th, are already scheduled.
Presentations at the CAT will be for a small audience, so it is advisable to make a reservation by calling 96 777 91 22 or by email [email protected]. In addition to the interpreters, this piece features Pedro Nascimento, in the production, with Valter Alves, in Luz e Som, with Bruno Guerra, as costume designer, and with Maria Luísa Fernandes, in the clothing industry.
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