It’s opening night. Molière’s The Misanthrope will be performed for the first time in Portugal before the King and the entire court and the show is far from being ready. There is a group of actors, together for mysterious and diverse reasons, with their nerves on edge, willing to do a lot – or everything – even before they hear Molière’s blows. There is a man who has an aversion to human beings, who does not like social interaction, who is melancholic, unsociable, misanthropic, sullen, a snitch (in Priberam dictionary). There is, above all, the fervent desire to attend court and please the King. The crucial question is: “what happy chance brought you to this place?”
By Hugo van der Ding and Martim Sousa Tavares
Directed by: Mónica Garnel
Cast: Ana Guiomar, Inês Vaz, Joana Bernardo, João Vicente, José Neves, Manuel Coelho, Manuel Moreira, Mário Coelho
Scenography and costumes: Marta Carreiras
Lighting design: Rui Monteiro
Sound design and sound design: João Pratas
Original music: Vitória
Staging assistance: Ana Água
Scenography and costume assistance: Martim Rodrigues
Creation support: Inês Vaz
Image: (c) Filipe Ferreira
Production: Teatro Nacional D. Maria II, within the scope of the National Odyssey.