In 11th F, there are no geniuses. Or will there be? Benedito, Patrícia, André or Ana have little interest in that history class, given by a tired teacher, with «dark circles under her eyes and poorly styled hair». Nor do they want to know about that video that, one day, the President of the Republic, after eating half a piece of toast, asked them to make. The most important “Battle” does not come in books: it is made up of dialogue and History where the small “h” is not forgotten.
The invitation from the Dona Maria II National Theater immediately caught João de Brito with an idea. He spoke to writer Sandro William Junqueira who gave it shape.
«I had this idea of having the President of the Republic draw lots, from a tombola, for a secondary school class to tell the History of Portugal to the world», explains João de Brito, to Sul Informação, minutes after finishing another rehearsal at Teatro das Figuras, in Faro.
This first inspiration would give way to “Batalha”, a play that premieres today, November 4th, at 19pm, at the theater in Farense, and leaves us clinging to our seats, waiting to see how a disbelieving group will be able to fulfill this purpose. national.
Benedito cares little more than his phones and cell phone. The battle of «Alcácer do Sal», as he says, is too far back in time.
Friends Ana and Patrícia prefer Zara to any D. Afonso Henriques and André wants to be a PT (personal trainer), indifferent to the exploits of D. Nuno Álvares Pereira.
Throughout much of the plot, there is an obvious conflict between the class and teacher Fátima who, despite being late, dark circles under her eyes and poorly styled hair, tries to go against the tide.
But, as one of the students says, “it happened poop” and 11ºF really has to make the video.
Without any success, two moments in the History of Portugal are still staged: the battle of Alcácer-Quibir and the love between D. Pedro and Inês de Castro.
«I wanted to play with this issue of recreation because there is that natural tendency to put on some costumes and do some things. We play with it in a way naive – people have this automatic tendency to recreate and here that is not what they will see», says João de Brito, eyes still on the stage and the classroom setting, created by Henrique Ralheta.
The viewer is left with the idea that there is no possible solution, but, suddenly, the teacher and students reach a place where they can speak.
Both say what is in their soul. The tiredness of following the goals set by the Ministry of Education. The revolt of young people due to the small “h” being hidden in the History of Portugal.
A battle (rap battle) begins like this: «I want you to tell me what your sources are so I can understand and connect all the dots because history is a Pandora's box: where do I fit, explain that now».
And he continues: «from Inês de Castro to Luísa de Gusmão, from independence to the Restoration War: Portugal, Spain, the French invasions, Nuno Álvares Pereira, all that feat. Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Goa, Macau and the Moors, slaves in Lisbon».
The video, which one day a President of the Republic asked that class, becomes a rap battle that brings together teachers and students. Everything recorded by Zé Carlos, played by João de Brito, who is also a kind of narrator of the play.
«I think that the History of Portugal, even in theater, is often told in a somewhat commercial way: you take a manual and tell it in a way that is even too heroic. Here, I am interested in, more than telling the History of Portugal, the discourse of young people,” he says.
Oh and what about the movie? It got lost «in the IT services», but that doesn't matter for the message that this “Battle” wants to convey.
The play premieres this Saturday, November 4th, at 19pm, at Teatro das Figuras (tickets here), and then continues to Portel (10th and 11th November), Sines (23rd November) and Ponte de Sor (24th and 25th November).
Always with the small “h” as inspiration.
Photos: Pedro Lemos | Sul Informação
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