There is the music, the flowers that beautify the litter and the so common “Long live!”. “Sovereign” takes to the stage of the Cine-Teatro Louletano this Friday, June 21, for a play that speaks of this cult, in its factual and sentimental aspects. For, as the poet António Aleixo once wrote, more than a religious manifestation, it is «the soul of these people that goes inside that bed».
The challenge came from Cine-Teatro Louletano and Teatro do Eléctrico immediately accepted the proposal.
Ricardo Neves-Neves, with roots in Loulé and director of the theater company, took over the job. «We started the preparation with readings, that material that is easier to access: books, videos, photographs. Last year, we also followed the Festivities», he began by explaining to journalists, in an essay open to the press, last Wednesday.
But, to portray the Festivities of the Sovereign Mother on stage, that alone was not enough. People (believers and non-believers, devotees or non-devotees) play a crucial role in this festival. Therefore, nothing better than listening to those who know the Sovereign Mother inside.
“We spoke with people to understand what this party means to them. We have hours and hours of very interesting interviews for a relationship that we feel is very special. People get very emotional talking about the Sovereign Mother», said Ricardo Neves-Neves.
This umbilical link between Loulé people and their patroness is well reflected in this play. There are prayers to the Sovereign Mother after the great drought of 1750, prayers from a young man who leaves for Ultramar and even a character who says, bluntly: "I don't believe in God, but I believe in the Sovereign Mother!". There is also no lack of representation in the scenario of the slope where the platform goes down and up.
This is a party where men play an important role. Eight children of the land have, year after year, the arduous task of carrying the litter, downhill and uphill, at Festa Pequena and Festa Grande. It is the respected men from the andor who are also portrayed in this piece.
“It's really funny to realize that this is a party where men play such an important role. I don't know if it's that cliché about the boy being very attached to his mother, but there really is a very special dedication. More than one person told us: “a man doesn't cry…except at the feast of the Sovereign Mother,” said Ricardo Neves-Neves.
For this piece, an attempt was then made to find a “balance between the religious side and the more pagan part”.
«We are mirroring what a community feels… Anyone who comes looking for a show that is only religious will not find it, but anyone who comes looking for a show only about the people of Loulé will not find it either. It will be a little of each area», summarized the director.
To achieve this balance, the show uses a lot the musical part, a tradition in Teatro do Eléctrico productions.
«At the parties themselves, it is rare for a moment when there is no music. It was very difficult to avoid this question. From the beginning, we wanted to absorb the music and the repertoire that is played in the procession», explained Ricardo Neves-Neves.
For Paulo Pires, director of Cine-Teatro Louletano, expectations for this piece are high. “It will be a show that people will enjoy. The invitation was also for us to work on a matter that is very central to Loulé's identity, putting it on stage», he framed.
In turn, Rita Cruz, one of the actresses on stage (there are 15 artists in total), guarantees that the «connection with the public will be very strong».
“Sovereign” has three sessions planned, at the Cine-Teatro Louletano: this Friday and Saturday, at 21:30 pm, and Sunday, at 17:00 pm. Tickets cost 9 euros and can be purchased here Children under 30 or over 65 pay only 7 euros.
And after these three exhibitions? Ricardo Neves-Neves believes that this is a show that can go to «other places». "I think it's possible to get anywhere in the country," he said.
The Sovereign Mother is from Loulé, but she also reaches so many other places. Going to the Party is enough to understand it. There are excursions, you can listen to several languages and realize how special it is.
"Long live the Sovereign Mother!"
Photos: Rodrigo Damascene | Sul Informação
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