‘The Farewell Ceremony’, by Mauro Rasi, pays homage to Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir through the eyes of a young man

Play gets a new version of Ulysses Cruz, who debuts at Sesc Consolação and bids farewell to adolescence

When did you see the first production of the play The farewell ceremonyin 1987, in Rio, the director Ulysses Cruz he confesses that he wrinkled his nose. “A naturalistic version of a text that allows for staged flights”, she justified herself, who directed one in 1989, in the Anchieta Theater, in Sao Paulo. Because it is precisely in this space that Cruz returns to the text of Mauro Rasi and opens this Saturday 8 a new look at the text.

“After 34 years from that first production, I now appreciate the work of the actors even more because the charm of the theater is in the representation”, he says, who relied on the tradition of the comedy of manners to tell the tragicomic story conceived by Mauro satin in 1987. “It is a text with dynamic dialogues, which can be fragmented, without much concern for time and space”.

With that reasoning, Through he created a scenario basically formed by four doors that don’t necessarily give access to the same place, as well as stools and, of course, stacks of books. “The text, like all of Mauro’s, deals with memory, therefore it is timeless. In the narration, which jumps in time, the concept of the metaverse is also inserted, that is, the existence of multiple virtual worlds that coexist with the real one. And the original track of Andrew Abujamra He’s almost a character.”

Considered one of the main works of Mauro Rasi (1949-2003), The farewell ceremony already reveals one of the author’s dramaturgical qualities: the protagonist is the son, who rebels against his family while living within it, but who also tries to reconcile with the past, from the moment he leaves it behind.

This is the case of the young and revolutionary Juliano (author’s alter ego, played by Luke Lentini) who, sheltered in his room, only feels good when he gives life to his greatest literary references: the existentialists Jean-Paul Sartre (Eucir de Souza) and Simone de Beauvoir (Beth Goulart). With their help, Juliano creates the illusion of a possible reality to face the rite of passage into adulthood while maintaining constant friction with his mother Aspázia (Malù Galli) and the spiritualist Aunt Brunhild (Olivia Araujo). There is also the sexual doubt that marks her relationship with her cousin Lourenço (Raphael of Bonn) and best friend Francisco (Ferdinand Moscardi). In the background, the heavy hand of the military regime.

“There are different universes that coexist: the bedroom, the house, the city and the countryside”, observes Beth, precisely in the elegant gesture of Simon. “And what emerges is the desire to break with the provincialism of the city in which he lives, which suffocates his artistic talent”, completes Elcir. The presence of the writing duo is magical, especially when they are personified as their main books – The farewell ceremonyamong other things, it is the title of the work in which Simone recounts Sartre’s latest experiences.

“The sometimes frantic pace of the staging serves to demonstrate the flood of memories that pass through Juliano’s head – it’s as if, in the future, he remembers that time,” he notes Loupe, who directed the production, starting from the choice of the cast. First Guest Actress, Malù Galli she has a strong presence as an overbearing mother. “His love of her is such that she can’t even talk to her son about her.”

“It’s the traditional conflict between generations,” completes Olivia, whose role faces the same dilemma. “With your problems, Lawrence it changes Juliano’s life,” says Bona. “The same happens with the naivety of Francisco and your true love,” she notes Moscardi.

Service

The farewell ceremony

National premiere: 8 April 2023

Season from April 8th to May 21st

Friday and Saturday at 8.00pm

Sundays and public holidays at 18.00

Extra session on May 18, Thursday, 8pm

Venue: Anchieta Theater – Sesc Consolação

Rua Doutor Vila Nova, 245

Admission: R$50 (full price) | R$25?(half price) | BRL 15 (full credentials)

Tickets available for sale at sescsp.org.br and at the Sesc São Paulo box office

Source: Terra

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.