“Swallowing Sapos” is learning to accept others in Odemira and Aljezur

On stage will be a worried father, a loving daughter and frogs. But also many prejudices against a community: the gypsies. “Engolir Sapos” is an artistic reflection, in the form of a theater show, and will take place, during this month of October, in Odemira and Aljezur. 

This is another “Lavrar o Mar” show that also marks a new focus of this program: «a greater scope of Portuguese companies».

«Our programming is made up of creations, but also shows, from other companies, that we bring because we think they make sense. This year, we want a greater scope, also nationally, because normally what we bring are foreign companies», explains Madalena Victorino, one of the programmers of “Lavrar o Mar”, to Sul Informação. 

“Engolir Sapos” appears along this path.

There will be sessions on October 18th, at Cineteatro Camacho Costa (Odemira), at 10:30 am, for school audiences, and at 21 pm for the general public. The next day, the show will be at 00:10 am, only for schools.

From Alentejo, the show will head to Aljezur, with sessions on the 21st of October (21pm) and the 00nd (22pm), both for the general public, at Espaço Multiusos.

In Portugal, there are thousands of dish frogs in commercial establishments and also on the doors of homes, seen as a way of to put away people of gypsy ethnicity.

The show, by Companhia Amarelo Silvestre, is, in the words of Madalena Victorino, «a warning against racism and xenophobia».

«It’s a story about a father and a daughter. When his daughter tells him that she is in love with a gypsy boy, a series of prejudices and fears arise in the father,” says the programmer.

This is a show “very important at this time we live in”.

«We have to understand the issue of the other, to integrate them, to accept them. We want to make our contribution with this “Engolir Sapos”», adds Madalena Victorino.

Thus, one of the main objectives of the show is to leave people thinking: «to reflect on others», concludes the programmer.

Tickets cost 7 euros for adults and 3 euros for children up to 11 years old, and can be purchased here