protocolo
An actor and an actress welcome the audience at the studio-theatre room of the National Theatre Dona Maria II in Lisbon. They are both Portuguese, they have studied theater together and they are part of mala voadora. They aim to please the audience. As everybody does. Generally, the reactions of enjoyment of those whom we please are vital; they are a source of contentment (and how actors do appreciate them!). These two actors will give an account of a full day in the life of Louis XIV, the Sun King, the French ‘Roi-Soleil’. They will explain how the monarch created the most sophisticated etiquette-system in history, how etiquette is based upon the consideration of others, in which ways the King did use that system as an instrument of power, and how the progressive simplification of etiquette and protocol relates to increasing cultural massification. They will try to clarify their role in the face of the audience, there, at the National Theatre. But above all, they will try to do all of this in a spectacular manner. We will see to what extent these two actors will be able to present their line of reasoning, while still being pleasant towards each other. And towards the audience.
Ficha
direction Jorge Andrade . in collaboration with Victor Hugo Pontes . research and dramaturgical support David Cabecinha . with Anabela Almeida and Jorge Andrade . cenography José Capela . costumes José Capela light João d’Almeida . soundtrack Rui Lima e Sérgio Martins . promotional image Isaque Pinheiro: Colarinho Branco (2008) . promotional video Jorge Jácome e Marta Simões . scene photography José Carlos Duarte . production Manuel Poças e Joana Costa Santos . management and programming Vânia Rodrigues . coproduction: mala voadora, Alkantara and TeatroNacional D. Maria II . institutional support BCN, Culturgest e Teatro Nacional São João