photo: © Antera
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A transdisciplinary journey in search of a new human being — starting from Chekhov
The richest works of art are those that have much to say and many levels to explore. Anton Chekhov's play The Cherry Orchard is one such work. From this dramaturgical masterpiece we intend to start a long journey of analysis, exploration and recreation through several individual creations, each one going deeper into the core of the play and the characters - in search of the fundamental essence that was Chekhov's own concern.
CerejATO is therefore a cycle of continuous and mutually enriching creations, inviting knowledge from diverse areas and diverse people, seeking a level of personal transformation broader and more extensive than what any single theatre piece can allow.
“ In my childhood, I had no childhood. Like my brothers, I was forbidden to play any games or have any fun. When I woke up every morning, the first thought that came to my mind was: will I be punished today? ”
Anton Tchékhov
(in Olhai a Neve Cair, by Roger Grenier)
photo: © Sara Camilo, © Antera
The glance that goes deeper
The choice of Chekhov as the dramaturgical and artistic starting point of the project is not random. Chekhov was himself a prophet in his land and time, pointing out with a sharp eye the contradictions and lethargy in the society of his beloved Russia, seeking to use theatre as a means of criticism and sublimation.
Chekhov's Russia is not unlike our contemporary world, however, and the conflicts, injustices and hypocrisies of our society are symptoms of the chronic pathology Chekhov saw around him, from the decadent aristocracy to the thirsty but directionless people. Chekhov carefully analysed all these social roles, all these personas - let's call them ARCHETYPES: because they are eternal, because yesterday as today they help us to understand the dynamics that operate in our social fabric.
photo: © Sara Camilo
More than a multiple creation, a long cycle of moments of transformation
The personal transformation that is intended through this rewriting of Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard is thus intended to strip away the peripeties of the original plot, diving into progressively deeper levels (of the subconscious, emotions, ego, desires, fears) in order to find and reveal the Archetype present in each character - in essence, the archetype present in each of us.
This progressive dematerialisation defines the successive creations of the CerejATO cycle. We can say that each one of them is, in a way, a moment in the continuous dematerialisation that the project's agenda aims to offer. This is also why CerejATO is not a creation of independent and isolated shows: there is a mutual enrichment that leads the spectators - and also the performers and participants - to experience more intense levels of fruition with each following moment.
Sequential plan of the different moments of CerejATO:
FIRST
MOMENT
2022/
2023
Cerejal
Staged Readings of
Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard
Staged readings of the four ACTS of the play, culminating in a theatrical performance of the play in its entirety.
SECOND
MOMENT
2023/
2024
Cerejal a Nu
Rewriting the play:
confronting the truth
Rewriting the play in a search for the inner levels of each of the characters involved on stage.
THIRD
MOMENT
2024/
2026
SER E JÁ
Final transformation:
the Self and its Archetypes
Total deconstruction of roles: revelation and materialisation of Archetypes in human interaction
photo: © Sara Camilo
“ Those who live a hundred years from now, two hundred years after us, for whom we are now paving the way, will they remember, will they have at least a kind word for us? ”
Anton Tchékhov
(in Olhai a Neve Cair, by Roger Grenier)
It is no coincidence that The Cherry Orchard remains one of the most frequently staged plays today. It is regarded as a landmark of 20th century dramaturgy and a test of strength for directors. With the CerejATO cycle we aim to show the complex structure of this work to a wide audience - whether or not they are familiar with great theatre. After all, as Chekhov himself intended, artistic transformation should not only be offered to scholars, but to humanity as a whole.
The path already travelled
CerejATO is not an exclusive project for professionals: many people from different backgrounds have joined us to experience this dramaturgical experimentation. That is why CerejATO is rich in expression, bringing together various artistic areas, including dance and circus.
Residencies and shows held under the CerejATO project:
FIRST
MOMENT
2022/
2023
9 Abr. a 5 Jun. 2022
Safra – Lisboa
Staged Reading of ACT I (1st version)
Performers:
Ana Raquel, Carolina Cunha Costa,
Claúdia Bonina, Libânia Nazareth,
Mónica Sousa, Pedro Fontes,
Pedro Estima, Rui Alves, Rui Neto,
Tomás Frazer
27 Ago. a 4 Set. 2022
Escola do Largo – Lisboa
Staged Reading of ACT I (2nd version)
Performers:
Antónia Alves, Claúdia Bonina,
Eric Meireles, Félix Lozano,
Gabi Chiarelli, Jini Afonso,
Malgorzata Sus, Mónica Sousa,
Rui Neto
5 a 16 Set. 2022
Safra – Lisboa
Staged Reading of ACT II
Performers:
Antónia Alves, Claúdia Bonina, David Costa,
Gabi Chiarelli, Jini Afonso, Márcio Saraiva,
Miguel de Almeida, Pedro Esteves, Pedro Estima,
Rui Barão, Rui Neto, Vera Teixeira
10 a 30 Out. 2022
Escola do Largo – Lisboa
Staged Reading of ACT III
Performers:
Antónia Alves, Claúdia Bonina,
Elvis Jordan, Eric Meireles, Gabi
Chiarelli, João Quiaios, Malgorzata Sus,
Márcio Saraiva, Miguel de Almeida,
Mónica Sousa, Pedro Estima, Rui Neto
18 Jan. a 17 Fev. 2023
BOTA, PenhaSCO – Lisboa
Staged Reading of ACT IV
Performers:
Amélia, Antónia Alves, Alexandre Pedro,
Catarina Monteiro, Claúdia Bonina,
Luciano Amarelo, Pedro Estima,
João Quiaios, Jan Raga, Morena Rosa,
Rui Neto
production and creation ATO — Associação Terras de Ourondo
artistic direction, dramaturgy and staging Luciano Amarelo
acting Antónia Alves, Cláudia Bonina, Luciano Amarelo, Mónica Sousa, Pedro Estima, Rui Neto, restantes atores ainda por definir
music Ainda a definir
executive production Xana Lagusi
photography Sara Camilo, Antera
design David Costa
partners BOTA, Safra, Pena.SCO, Escola do Largo
support Câmara Municipal de Lisboa, Polo Cultural das Gaivotas
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