A new project from the documentary theatre series Pacífico, which analysis new forms of present-day colonialism, this time based on the two gigantic cultural and sports facilities of Amazonia.
You may have seen Extraños mares arden or Tierras del Sur, two productions where Laida Azkona Goñi and Txalo Toloza-Fernández used the most stringent reality as the starting point for their indictment of the latest forms of colonialism. They do so again in this production, which is set in Brazilian Amazonia and speaks about the atrocities suffered by both the territory and the original populations of Latin America, and makes clear to spectators the relationship between its suffering and the development of contemporary culture and civilisation. An opera theatre and a football stadium may be good places to start. The production talks about two overambitious infrastructures located in Brazilian Amazonia, the Teatro Amazonas and the Arena da Amazônia. However rather than being made the protagonists, they are used to illustrate the local bourgeoisie's lust for wealth, the boom-and-bust cycle of industrial development in the region and the numerous economic interests that have led to the devastation of one of the most important tropical rainforests in the world.
Manaus is the capital of Amazonia and the seventh largest city in Brazil, in terms of population. It has been a financial centre since the military dictatorship of the 1960s declared it a free-trade area. Hence the large multinationals installed there. Has this area experienced chaotic and exaggerated growth, as the city’s mayor says? How have the big companies marked the present and future of this part of the world? What role do carbon credits have there? And the successive governmental policies that Brazil has had? Why has this forest become such an important place for travellers, explorers, colonists and investors from all over the world? You will find out in a production that speaks to us of economic interests and excesses, as well as the population that has suffered the consequences.
A co-production from the Barcelona Grec 2020 Festival, Azkona&Toloza, Théâtre de la Ville – Paris / Festival d’Automne à Paris, Théâtre Garonne - Scène Européenne, Marche Teatro / Inteatro Festival, and Antic Teatre de Barcelona.
In collaboration with DNA Creación 2019; Azala Kreazio Espazioa; Graner, Centre de creació – Mercat de les Flors; La Caldera Les Corts; Teatre L’Artesà; Teatro Gayarre; NAVE, Centro de creación y residencia; and Innova Cultural, promoted by the Fundación Bancaria Caja Navarra and Obra Social “la Caixa”.
Teatro Amazonas is a project associated with LABEA, Laboratorio de Arte y Ecología.
Due to the special circumstances in which the Grec 2020 Festival is being held, the artists have experienced limitations and impediments while preparing their work, including a lack of time for adequate rehearsals and the need to respect social distancing between performers. These circumstances have affected their creations, but, in spite of everything, both the artists and the festival are eager to share the results of their efforts with their audiences, even though preparations have not been ideal.
Author: Azkona&Toloza Staging and adaptation: Laida Azkona Goñi and Txalo Toloza-Fernández Performed by: Laida Azkona Goñi and Txalo Toloza-Fernández Voice-over: Agnes Mateus, Tobias Temming Assistant director: Raquel Cors Original soundtrack and sound-space design: Rodrigo Rammsy Sound concept: Juan Cristóbal Saavedra Lighting design: Ana Rovira Audiovisual design: MiPrimerDrop Spatial design: Xesca Salva and A&T Fashion design: Sara Espinosa Research: Leonardo Gamboa Caneo Production design: Elclimamola Transcription of the Portuguese: Livia Diniz Translation of the Tucanoan language: Joao Paulo Lima Barreto Narrator of the process: Pedro Granero Illustrator: Jeisson Castillo Support: Conrado Parodi Local production: Helena Febrés
