Play for Rivers | Marionet

Three researchers are carrying out a scientific survey to characterise the Madrigueira Stream. They make their way along the stream bed, against the current, recording details of the morphology and vegetation on the banks and in the channel, as well as any changes and man-made features introduced, such as drainage outlets or gabion walls. As they walk through the greenery, they come across stories about the site’s past, the transformations that have taken place over time, the relationship between natural spaces and people’s health, and they suggest possible futures for the stream. This is where opinions differ. Who does the stream belong to? Who does its future belong to? And what is the future of this natural space?

+INFO

Ribeira da Madrigueira (Vale das Flores) | Coimbra

16 May 2026 | 3:00 and 5:00pm

23 May 2026 | 3:00 and 5:00pm*

30 May 2026 | 3:00 and 5:00pm

* This session includes Portuguese Sign Language interpretation.

Age rating | +6

Online | Free entry

Duration | 45m

Playbill

‘Play for Rivers’ (Peça para Rios) is a production that forms part of the European OneAquaHealth project, in which Marionet is a partner and that studies the relationship between human health and the health of riparian ecosystems. The creative process was informed by a series of interviews with people who live near urban streams and who visit and use them regularly. In addition to creating the play, we are producing a documentary about the community’s relationship with these urban natural spaces.

One of the many cultural benefits provided by urban rivers is the enjoyment of views of the river and the surrounding greenery. To quantify this benefit, the number of windows facing the stream is counted. The Madrigueira Stream, in Vale das Flores, Coimbra, has over 200 windows looking out onto it. The ‘Play for Rivers’ event, which will take place on this stream, aims to draw the community’s attention to the importance of urban streams and their associated natural ecosystems.

Production Credits

Discussion and Ideas Carolina Costa Andrade, Francisca Moreira, Inês Dias, Marcelo dos Reis, Mário Montenegro, Pedro Andrade, Ricardo Jerónimo, Teresa Côrte-Real, Silvia Carballo, Vicente Paredes, Zé Ribeiro
Playwright and Direction Mário Montenegro
Cast Carolina Costa Andrade, Inês Dias, Zé Ribeiro
Image Pedro Andrade, Joana Sarnadas
Wardrobe Carolina Costa Andrade
Music and Sound Design Marcelo dos Reis
Hair Design Carlos Gago – Ilídio Design Cabeleireiros
Research Silvia Carballo (coord.), Teresa Côrte-Real
Scientific Consulting Maria João Feio
Production Direction and Photography Francisca Moreira
Executive Production Carolina Costa Andrade, Silvia Carballo, Vicente Paredes
Communication Carolina Costa Andrade, Ricardo Jerónimo
Portuguese Sign Language Jéssica Ferreira
Promotional Video Tiago Cerveira
Video Registry João Cunha

Acknowledgements

Grupo de Ecologia de Águas Doces do MARE – UCoimbra, Teatro Académico de Gil Vicente, Cátia Carvalho, and all the people interviewed: Cidália Carvalho, Elizabete Marchante, Horácio Costa, João Moreira, João Pedro Inácio Costa, Joel Figueiredo, Jorge Gomes, Maria José, Nele Halans, Ricardo Fonseca, Sidsel Andersen

Projects
OneAquaHealth

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