In-person and online performances, world and national premieres. This is FITEI and it starts tomorrow

Sometimes one show isn’t enough, as we see the FITEI agenda and realise that as of tomorrow and until 16th May, FITEI – International Iberian Theatre Festival takes to the stage 14 in-person performances and 10 online shows to grasp the concepts of environmental, political, individual, affective, sexual and mental sustainability. Seven performances are world premieres and ten take to the national stages for the first time.

The main novelty is that the festival will take to both digital and in-person format. The FITEI DIGITAL platform, a pioneer in theatre streaming, joins the municipal company Ágora to provide not only the online programing of the festival but also additional contents.

The digital stage inaugurates with “Estado Vegetal”, a “reflexion on ways to inhabit the planet and the relationship with plants”, by Chilean playwright Manuela Infante. In turn, “Amarillo”, by the Mexican company Línea de Sombra approaches the physical and mental barriers that separate Mexico and the United States.

Also online, Sergio Boris from Argentina takes his work to the online platform. Boris set up “Artaud” based on the letters by the French writer Antonin Artaud to his psychiatrist. The online platform also presents the performance “O Dia da matança na história de Hamlet”, by Bernard-Marie Koltés, staged by António Júlio for the Teatro Experimental do Porto.

The national performances will be on show at the Rivoli, the Teatro Campo Alegre, the Teatro Nacional São João, the Mosteiro São Bento da Vitória, the Teatro Carlos Alberto, the Bonjóia, the Mala Voadora, the Teatro Helena Sá e Costa, the CACE Cultural, the Escola Superior Artística do Porto, and the Armazém 22.

The highlights are “Mappa Mundi”, by Eduardo Breda and Joana de Verona, “Maiakovski - Regresso do Futuro”, by Igor Gandra, a joint production by the Teatro do Ferro and the Teatro de Marionetas do Porto, and “InFausto”, by Jorge de Andrade, of Mala Voadora.

FITEI is also a festival that inspires learning and creation by presenting the section “FITEI and Schools in Porto” that includes shows by the balleteatro, ESAP and ESMAE. Also included are workshops and online masterclasses within the category "Isto não é uma escola FITEI".

The "FITEI Aberto" features book releases, online and in-person talks, and concerts. All events are free.

The organisation highlights the workshop and the Vocal Expression by Marcela Lucatelli, from Brazil, in partnership with Matéria Prima, on 15th May, as well as the release of the album by Favela, in collaboration with Circolando and the Criatório.

FITEI will be a travelling festival, featuring performances in Matosinhos, Viana do Castelo, Vila Nova de Gaia and Viseu.

See here the full programming of the FITEI festival.