This archive report was first published on 28 November 2019.
At 82, Ze Celso, the founder of Teatro Oficina, remains a force to be reckoned with in Brazil's theater scene. Founded 61 years ago, the company has been a beacon of resistance against the country's military dictatorship between 1964 and 1985.
Despite the challenges, Ze Celso and his company continue to thrive. To stage their performance of "Roda Viva" ("Living Circle"), written by singer-songwriter and playwright Chico Buarque in 1968, the 60-strong troupe had to rely on buses for transportation and crowdfunding donations to cover costs.
"There were a thousand problems, but the thing is to resist," Ze Celso said in an interview with AFP. "I have insurrection in the blood."
"There were a thousand problems, but the thing is to resist," Ze Celso said in an interview with AFP. "I have insurrection in the blood." — Ze Celso, AFP interview
Ze Celso's company has faced numerous challenges, including a real-estate development that threatens to suffocate their theater. Business tycoon Silvio Santos, head of SBT television, wants to surround the Teatro Oficina with apartment blocks that would block off all natural light to the open-plan, modernist building.
"I'm 82, I was tortured and then exiled by the military dictatorship," Ze Celso said. "But what we are living through now is actually worse: I have never seen so much ignorance and hate."
"I'm 82, I was tortured and then exiled by the military dictatorship," Ze Celso said. "But what we are living through now is actually worse: I have never seen so much ignorance and hate." — Ze Celso
Despite these challenges, Ze Celso's company has managed to escape censorship and pressure from the far-right administration of President Jair Bolsonaro. "Roda Viva" has been running for nearly a year now in Sao Paulo, and the show has become a powerful symbol of resistance against the government.
"In reaction (to Bolsonaro), our culture is very strong", Ze Celso said. "The theaters are full, the artists are vibrant. All of Brazil's culture is rising up!"
"In reaction (to Bolsonaro), our culture is very strong", Ze Celso said. "The theaters are full, the artists are vibrant. All of Brazil's culture is rising up!" — Ze Celso
"Roda Viva" is a powerful commentary on contemporary Brazilian politics, featuring a Bolsonaro with Hitler moustache and hair, and who declares his love for US President Donald Trump. The show also touches on the Amazon fires, corruption allegations, and the invasion of indigenous lands.
As the dancers climb the rows of theater seats, Ze Celso stretches out on the laps of three audience members, and at the end of the show, performers and audience all dance together on the stage.
For Ze Celso, "everything is sexual" and the scenes of rape or orgy are raw. Occasionally, naked actors run through the rows of seats.
"It's a very politically charged play," Ze Celso said. "I have faith in the force of humanity which is going to mobilize and take to the streets. I think it'll happen soon," he said, as the interview winds up and he stands up and without warning booms, "Shit!"
"It's a very politically charged play," Ze Celso said. "I have faith in the force of humanity which is going to mobilize and take to the streets. I think it'll happen soon," he said, as the interview winds up and he stands up and without warning booms, "Shit!" — Ze Celso
