The successful writer Stephen Marx decides to fake his own death in order to read his obituaries, obsessed with knowing the “real” opinion of critics about himself and his work. Inspired by Fernando Pessoa and his heteronyms, he decides to create a new literary alter-ego to find out if he can achieve success as an unknown writer, due to the value of his work.
MARIONET returns to Teatro da Cerca de São Bernardo, in Coimbra, from April 17th to the 26th, with the premiere of its new theatre production, “EGO”. This play “EGO”, from Carl Djerassi, was inspired by Djerassi’s own work “Marx Deceased” (about a famous writer, Stephen Marx, who fakes his own death in order to observe the reaction and criticism from readers and critics’, and was inspired by the heteronyms of Fernando Pessoa. This last fact was the reason why this North American scientist and writer commissioned the production of the play to Marionet, due to his interest in seeing it performed in Portuguese and in Portugal. The play will be presented for the first time in Portugal in 2015, the year that celebrates the 100th anniversary of the launch of the Orpheu Magazine, where Fernando Pessoa was one of the collaborators. The Portuguese translation of the play is by Mário Montenegro, the company’s director.
Playwright Carl Djerassi
Discussion and Ideas Filipe Eusébio; Joana Macias, Mafalda Oliveira, Marcelo dos Reis; Mário Montenegro, Pedro Andrade, Teresa Girão
Translation and Direction Mário Montenegro
Cast Filipe Eusébio, Joana Macias, Mário Montenegro
Set Design, Wardrobe and Image Pedro Andrade
Original Soundtrack Marcelo dos Reis
Lighting Design and Technical Direction Mafalda Oliveira
Scene Photography Francisca Moreira
Hair Design Carlos Gago – Ilídio Design
Executive Production Teresa Girão
The Portuguese production of Ego is funded by Dale Djerassi, Carl Djerassi’s heir
With the support of
Câmara Municipal de Coimbra
Fundação Bissaya Barreto
Ilidio Design Cabeleireiros
MAFIA – Federação Cultural de Coimbra
Teatro da Cerca de São Bernardo
Rádio Universidade de Coimbra
Dolce Vita Coimbra
Acknowledgments
A Escola da Noite; António Apolinário Lourenço; Arq. Alberto Montoya; CITEC – Centro de Iniciação Teatral Esther de Carvalho; Condomínio Criativo de Coimbra; Cooperativa Agrícola do Távora CRL; Jorge Miguel Sousa; José Luis Pio Abreu; Júlio Cardoso; Manuel João Monte; Paulo Matos
