The Virtuoso [restage]

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

Convento São Francisco | Coimbra

23 October 2025 | 9:00pm

Age rating | 12+

Running time | 2h30 + Intermission [8m]

Tickets | TicketLine / CSF

€10 / €6 < 25 years old, student, UC community, UC alumni, > 65 years old, group ≥ 10, unemployed, cultural professional, ‘Theatre About Science’ partnerships

The session included Portuguese sign language interpretation.

PREMIERE:

Coimbra | Gil Vicente Academic Theatre

12 December 2024

The restage of this show is doubly special to us: on the one hand, it is part of the artistic programme of the International Conference ‘Theatre About Science’, co-organised by Marionet; and, on the other hand, the performance takes place on the very day that our company celebrates its 25th anniversary!

In the context of the interdisciplinary crossover between theatre and science — Marionet’s natural habitat — this is a very relevant play, 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.

Production Credits

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

Playwright Thomas Shadwell

Direction e Translation Mário Montenegro

Cast Carolina Caseiro, Carolina Costa Andrade, Eduarda Ortiz, Inês Dias, Filipe Eusébio, Hugo Inácio, Mário Montenegro, Sílvia Santos, Teosson Chau, Teresa Côrte-Real, 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

Production Direction Francisca Moreira

Executive Production Carolina Costa Andrade, Silvia Carballo, Vicente Paredes

Communication Carolina Costa Andrade, Ricardo Jerónimo

Photography Francisca Moreira

Portuguese Sign Language Interpretation Jéssica Ferreira, Andreia Esteves

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, Convento São Francisco, Gil Vicente Academic Theatre, Ilídio Design Cabeleireiros, RTP 2, Rádio Universidade de Coimbra, 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.

Productions
The Virtuoso

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