We’ve created a manual for making a show about the relationship between work and happiness: a set of instructions, texts by Pablo Gisbert and files with images to print out and make the sets. Any group of people, anywhere, can perform the show. It’s copylefted. Following the instructions, the performers assemble the various sets and tell stories that speculate about their future work. When they take breaks, a man comes to explain to them that work keeps them stuck in an uninteresting routine, in a stereotyped life, and makes it impossible for them to be happy. Everyone listens to him and then goes back to work.
This project was developed as part of an international collaboration coordinated by Artemrede (in association with the municipalities of Alcobaça and Montijo), with partners the Pergine Spettacolo Aperto Festival (Italy), L’arboreto (Italy) and the Municipal and Regional Theatre of Patras (Greece). The artistic direction was provided by mala voadora. The show was performed in the venues where all these structures worked with non-professional performers, after a month of rehearsals.

manual conception and direction with assistance from Maria Jorge ‧ text Paul Gisbert ‧ with Markos Gettos (GR), Clara Setti (IT), Vítor d'Andrade (PT) and a group of performers from the local community ‧ set design José Capela, with image editing by António MV ‧ costumes José Capela, with execution by Aldina de Jesus ‧ light Rui Monteiro ‧ stage photography José Carlos Duarte ‧ promotional video Jorge Jácome and Marta Simões ‧ management and programming consultancy Vânia Rodrigues ‧ production direction Joana Costa Santos ‧ production Luna Rebelo ‧ coprodution Artemrede (PT), Pergine Spettacolo Aperto (IT), Arboreto Teatro Dimora (IT), Municipal and Regional Theatre of Patras (GR) ‧ co-funding Creative Europe Programme of the European Union ‧

datasdates

March 16 to 18, 2018 ‧ Apólo Theatre (Patras, Greece)

April 13 and 14, 2018 ‧ Cine-Teatro Joaquim d'Almeida (Montijo)

May 11 and 12, 2018 ‧ Cine-Teatro of Alcobaça

July 6, 2018 ‧ Pergine Spettacolo Aperto Festival (Trento, Italy)

October 13 and 14, 2018 ‧ Marvila's Municipal Library (Lisbon)

March 7 to 9, 2019 ‧ Teatro Municipal do Porto - Campo Alegre