roma & alvalade in loco
TEATRO MARIA MATOS In order to enrich, diversify and enhance the arts scene and to turn the Teatro Maria Matos into an increasingly mandatory point on the Portuguese cultural map, it will be necessary to take risks and focus on irreverence, elegance and quality. The refurbished Teatro Maria Matos reopened its doors
a project that by its very nature needs to be
on 27th March 2006, focused on establishing its own
dynamic and ambitious.
distinct artistic identity, with a new image and new dy-
Phèdre, by Jean Racine, directed by Ana
namic. The theatre has rapidly established itself as one
Tamen, translated by Vasco Graça Moura and
of Lisbon’s leading cultural venues, as testified to both
with Beatriz Batarda as lead actor, marks
by its growing audiences and by the interest generated
the beginning of the season. At the end of
within the media. During its first six months, the Teatro
March, Eunice Muñoz and Diogo Infante – the
Maria Matos has sold around twenty thousand tickets,
theatre’s artistic director – will stage Doubt, a
with average audiences of 150 per play in the main au-
2005 Pulitzer Prize-winning play, directed by
ditorium. An unexpected success? Not really, though it
Ana Luísa Guimarães. In September, Shake-
might come as a surprise to the more pessimistic or
speare’s Hamlet will mark the 50th anniver-
those who think there’s nothing better than an evening
sary of João Mota’s brilliant career as direc-
sitting in front of the TV.
tor and teacher.
The theatre has big plans for 2007. It aims to intensify
The relaxed and sophisticated mm café, lo-
cooperation with various international festivals, launch
cated in the theatre’s upper foyer, was an im-
the Maria Matos award for playwrights, invest in projects
mediate hit with those looking for something
promoting young playwrights and establish co-produc-
different to the city’s other offerings.
tions with recognised institutions. And so that these ef-
Besides light snacks, on Saturdays the menu
forts aren’t lost, there will be a dynamic and creative
gets funky with DJs playing up to the minute
educational programme to capture an increasingly crit-
beats, and on Sunday afternoons there’s live
ical, creative and demanding younger audience. Work
jazz spiced with the lovely voice of Bárbara
in this area has already begun, with workshops, guided
Lagido. And to get the week moving earlier,
visits and talks by artists, but this is only one part of
on Tuesdays at the mm there’ll be new bands, performances, animated films and lots of unlikely singers. In order to enrich, diversify and enhance the arts scene and to turn the Teatro Maria Matos into an increasingly mandatory point on the Portuguese cultural map, it will be necessary to take risks and focus on irreverence, elegance and quality. Avenida de Roma is blossoming and reaching out to all of us. And Maria Matos (‘mm’ to those in the know) is unashamedly proud of being a part of it. •
12 · roma & Alvalade con vida