On the 150th anniversary of the creation of the Periodic Table – proclaimed by the UN’s General Assembly as the International Year of the Periodic Table – Marionet was invited by the National Commitee for the Celebration of the International Year of the Periodic Table and by professor Manuel João Monte, author of the book “The Periodic Table Neighbourhood” (O Bairro da Tabela Periódica), to stage that very same text.
The plot is set between a classroom (a chemistry class, of course!) and a meeting of the periodic table condominium – in an analogy between the table’s elements and the neighbourhood’s blocks – where the actors embody chemical elements, whose characteristics are inevitably similar to those elements’ properties. In both spaces we speak of history, sing opera, explore chemistry and discuss contemporaneity.
This show was part of the Official Programme for the Celebration of the International Year of the Periodic Table (first presented by Dmitri Mendeleiev in 1869).
Script Manuel João Monte
Staging/Direction and Adaptation Mário Montenegro
Performers Diana Narciso Ada and Rita, Filipe Eusébio Hydrogen and Tomás, Mafalda Canhola Platinum and Sofia, Miguel Lança Oxygen and Pedro, Nuno Geraldo Europium and Bruno, Pedro Lamas Lead and João, Tânia Cardoso Silver and teacher
Set Design, Wardrobe and Image Pedro Andrade
Lighting Design and Technical Direction João Teixeira
Original Soundtrack and Sound Design Marcelo dos Reis
Video Error 43
Video Recording João Cunha
Production Direction and CommunicationFrancisca Moreira
Production Assistance Beatriz Sousa*
Hair Design Carlos Gago – Ilídio Design
With the support of
Sociedade Portuguesa de Química, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Hovione, Oeiras Valley, Teatro Académico de Gil Vicente, Teatro Helena Sá e Costa, Ciência Viva, Direção-Geral da Educação, Ilídio Design Cabeleireiros, MAFIA – Federação Cultural, Rádio Universidade de Coimbra
* Curricular internship — Art Studies, Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Coimbra
