If there is one science that has been studied profusely by the theatre, it is the science of love. This play by Thomas Shadwell is (yet another) treatise on the various forms of emotional relationships between human beings. It depicts marital and extramarital relationships, platonic, romantic and carnal loves. And the other side of these loves too — disenchantment, contempt, rejection, anger, betrayal, and revenge.
Bruce and Longvil are two young men in love with Miranda and Clarinda, but their loves are intertwined — Bruce likes Clarinda who likes Longvil who likes Miranda who likes Bruce. In addition to this mismatch of affections, the girls are under the thumb of an uncle and aunt, Sir Nicholas Gimcrack and Lady Gimcrack, who make it difficult for them to pursue their love interests with the supposed aim of safeguarding the honour of the young maidens. In a classic example of the saying ‘Watch what I say, not what I do’, the uncles each have their own extramarital adventures.
In order to get closer to their nieces, the two young men pretend to be interested in the scientific experiments that Sir Nicholas is carrying out. He, a paradigmatic example of the first explorers of modern science, is closely followed by an inveterate orator — Sir Formal Trifle — who eulogises and applauds his scientific activity, while trying to get close to the young Clarinda.
These characters are joined by the clandestine lovers of the Gimcrack couple, who themselves have a romantic relationship with each other, and old Snarl — Sir Nicholas’ uncle — who is a great defender of the old days and a fierce critic of the degenerate behaviour of the new generations.
It’s an intricate plot that unfolds in The Virtuoso, in which the brand new science of modernity mixes with the age-old science of love.
+INFO
Gil Vicente Academic Theatre | Coimbra
12 and 13* December 2024 | 9:30pm
Age rating | 12+
Running time | 2h30 + Intermission [8m]
€7 / €5 < 25 years old, student, UC community, UC alumni, > 65 years old, group ≥ 10, unemployed, cultural professional, TAGV partnerships
*Friday session includes Portuguese sign language interpretation.
Playbill
This is a special show, given Marionet’s research into the disciplinary crossover between theatre and science, as it is the first play in the history of theatre to feature a scientist as the protagonist.
Translated into Portuguese by Mário Montenegro, this play, premiered in 1676, portrays science as a set of ridiculous and vain activities carried out by individuals who have nothing better to do with their time. The text allows us to put into perspective the vast path taken by the scientific enterprise, since today the vast majority of people will recognise that science is an essential component in our lives, but it hasn’t always had that recognition, as this show testifies.
Discussion and Ideas Carolina Caseiro*, Carolina Costa Andrade, Eduarda Ortiz*, Filipe Eusébio, Francisca Moreira, Hugo Inácio, Inês Dias, Laetitia Morais, Marcelo dos Reis, Maria Teixeira*, Mário Montenegro, Pedro Andrade, Ricardo Jerónimo, Silvia Carballo, Sílvia Santos, Simão Lopes, Teosson Chau, Thiago Vaz, Tiago Sousa*, Vicente Paredes, Vitória Oliveira*, Zé Ribeiro
Text Thomas Shadwell
Direction e Translation Mário Montenegro
Cast Carolina Caseiro*, Carolina Costa Andrade, Eduarda Ortiz*, Inês Dias, Filipe Eusébio, Hugo Inácio, Maria Teixeira*, Mário Montenegro, Sílvia Santos, Teosson Chau, Tiago Sousa*, Vitória Oliveira*, Zé Ribeiro
Technical Direction and Lighting Design Simão Lopes
Set Design and Image Pedro Andrade
Wardrobe Cláudia Ribeiro
Wardrobe Assistance Gi Cavaggioni
Video Laetitia Morais
Choreography Direction Thiago Vaz (Portingaloise – Associação Cultural e Artística)
Music and Sound Design Marcelo dos Reis
Live Sound Ricardo Jerónimo, Vicente Paredes
Graphic Assistance Joana Corker
Hair Design Carlos Gago – Ilídio Design Cabeleireiros
Portuguese Sign Language Interpretation Jéssica Ferreira, Joana Sousa
Production Direction Francisca Moreira
Executive Production Carolina Costa Andrade, Silvia Carballo, Vicente Paredes
Communication Carolina Costa Andrade, Maria Neves**, Ricardo Jerónimo
Promotional Video and Photographs Tiago Cerveira
Photography Francisca Moreira
Video Registry João Cunha
Coproduction Marionet | Teatro Académico de Gil Vicente
With the support of
República Portuguesa — Cultura / Direção-Geral das Artes, Câmara Municipal de Coimbra, MAFIA — Federação Cultural de Coimbra, Ilídio Design Cabeleireiros, Antena 2, Rádio Universidade de Coimbra, Hotel Oslo, Lameirinho
Acknowledgements
Ana Val-do-Rio, Hugo Andrade, Margarida Dias da Silva, Pedro Maranha, Sónia Cardoso, Susana Marques, Escola Secundária Infanta D. Maria, University of Coimbra.
* Internship (Professional Interpreter/Actor Course at Colégio São Teotónio)
**Internship (Master’s Programme in Translation at the Faculty of Letters of the University of Coimbra)
- Clipping
- Primeira peça de teatro com um cientista como protagonista vai a cena em Coimbra [Observador]
- Primeira peça de teatro com um cientista como protagonista vai a cena em Coimbra [Diário de Coimbra]
- "O Virtuoso" pela Companhia Marionet em coprodução com o TAGV estreia em dezembro [Notícias UC]
- O Virtuoso / Marionet & TAGV [Mutante]
- "O Virtuoso": primeira peça de teatro com um cientista como protagonista vai a cena em Coimbra [Sapo]
- Ligar arte e ciência com Jorge Afonso [Antena 1]
- Palcos da semana: Alice, A Médica, O Virtuoso e Nouvelle Vague com magia [Público | P3]
