'Birth Pavillion' opens Palco Giratório talking about pain and hope in the women's prison system

A powerful and delicate theatrical production, Parto pavilhão is one of the highlights of the first night of shows included in the program of the 19th Palco Giratório Festival , an event promoted by Sesc-RS, which begins this Tuesday (20). The play, directed by Naruna Costa from São Paulo, will be presented at 7:30 pm at the Sesc Canoas Theater (av. Guilherme Schell - Centro), in Canoas, and will have a new session this Wednesday (21), at 8 pm, at the Pucrs Theater (av. Ipiranga, 6681 - building 40), in the Capital, with simultaneous translation in Libras, audio description and the possibility of a tactile visit.

Acted by Aysha Nascimento , the monologue tells the story of Rose, a former nursing technician and inmate who becomes a reference for other women in a temporary penitentiary for mothers, proposing a deep reflection on motherhood , affection and solidarity in contexts of deprivation of liberty. The protagonist finds in helping with births and caring for the children of other inmates a way to ease the weight of the days inside the cells. A mother within the prison system, she knows the labyrinths and secrets of this hostile daily life, gaining the trust not only of the entire pavilion, but also of the prison director, with whom she shares afternoons knitting woolen clothes for the babies. However, the prison routine suffers a shock when, amid the euphoria of a Brazilian national team game, Rose comes across a set of keys in an open drawer, planting the seed of a daring escape.

The genesis of Parto pavilhão lies in the sensitivity of playwright Jhonny Salaberg , known for his research and production within the so-called "black theater". The play, which marks the first solo in Aysha's career, after nine months of intense process, closes the Trilogia da Fuga , a set of texts written by Salaberg – which already included Mato cheia and Buraquinhos ou o vento é estreia do picumã . The actress in the play says that the playwright sought inspiration in the true story of the "Fuga dos Bebês", which occurred in 2009 at the Butantan Women's Penitentiary Progression Center (CPP), from where a group of women escaped taking their children.

Research for the play included analyzing documentaries, reading the book Prisoners by Drauzio Varella, and contact with accounts from women who have experienced the prison system, such as human rights activist Preta Ferreira . For Aysha, Rose's story echoes the experiences of many women.

"The play does not aim to represent black women and mothers in prison in a homogeneous way, recognizing the diversity of their experiences," the actress ponders. "Instead, it focuses on Rose's humanity, with her mistakes, dreams and desires, placed in a limiting situation that leads her to plan a collective escape, thinking about the future of children outside bars." Aysha notes that Naruna's direction brought an essential "delicacy" to the construction of the character.

On stage, a minimalist setting gives way to the strength of the performance and the captivating live music of cellist Reblack . The soundtrack, with musical direction and compositions by Giovani Di Ganzá , pulses like Rose's own emotional temperature, with the cello almost becoming the materialization of her feelings. The lighting, by Gabriele Souza , reveals and, at the same time, narrates, expanding the perspective of the story beyond the protagonist's voice. "Despite being a solo, the play is a collective work, bringing together several artists who contribute to the strength of the scene", says Aysha. The body preparation and choreography by Malu Avelar , the set design and costumes by Ouroboros Produções Artísticas , the sound design by Tomé de Souza and the visual identity by Sato do Brasil all add to the production.

According to Aysha, the scenic language of Parto pavilhão flirts with epic theater, where the narrative of what has already happened is intertwined with the present action. There is also a strong presence of physical theater, expressing the emotions and tensions experienced by Rose. "Jonny dialogues with Italo Calvino 's concept of lightness, seeking to present, even in the face of the harsh reality of the prison system, a character who laughs, cries, plays and hums, subtly conveying a story of escape and hope for the future of her children," adds the actress.

The 19th Palco Giratório Festival will run until June 8th. There will be 64 performances by 52 artistic groups that will take over 22 cultural spaces in the capital. The activities also include workshops, debates and exhibitions. In total, around 360 artists will participate in this edition, which also focuses on education and dialogue with the public. Check out the full schedule on the Jornal do Comércio website.

Tickets for the shows cost between R$20.00 and R$60.00 and are on sale at Sesc/RS Units, on the Festival website , and, if available, at theater box offices one hour before each performance.

With a program that encompasses the most diverse expressions of the performing arts, Palco Giratório Sesc has already established itself as a space for cultural encounters and exchange. This year's event will feature dozens of productions, both by local artists and artists from other states, such as Renata Sorrah and Amir Haddad , who are participating in the 19th edition of the Festival, which begins this Tuesday (20). One of the highlights of the opening night is the singer and composer Negra Li from São Paulo, who will take to the stage at Teatro Simões Lopes Neto (Rua Riachuelo, 1089) this Tuesday, starting at 8 pm, with a special show celebrating her 29-year career .

Dance also gains space in the Festival, already in the first week. This Thursday (22), at 6:30 pm, there will be a session of Andaime (des) construção de amor , by Geda Cia de Dança Contemporânea (RS), in the lobby of the Oficina Olga Reverbel Theater (Praça Mal. Deodoro, s/n). On the same day and in the same place, at 7 pm, the public will be able to watch the presentation of Amordor , by Kháos Cia de Dança (RS). On this date, there will also be an alternative for those interested in female clowning, with the session of the show Divagar e sempre , by the Paraná group Las Cabaças , which will be the attraction of Estúdio Stravaganza (rua Dr. Olinto de Oliveira, 68), at 8 pm.

On Friday (23), the show Caravana alucinada , by the Cia Teatro Independente do Rio de Janeiro, will be performed at 8 pm, at the Teatro Simões Lopes Neto (Rua Riachuelo, 1089), narrating the journey of joy train artists, exploring with humor, emotion and social criticism the personal issues and challenges of a group that personifies icons of pop culture in the suburbs of Rio. The play will have a second session on Saturday (24), also at 8 pm.

Among the street shows that are part of the event, O Lanceirinho negro , by the group Trupi di Trapu (RS) will occupy an area of ​​Sesc Anchieta , on June 4th, at 3 pm. The presentation that tells the story of a boy who finds himself motivated to question and learn about the importance of freedom and the power of ancestry, will feature simultaneous translation into Libras. The cast includes the actors from Rio Grande do Sul Anderson Gonçalves , Bruno Fernandes , Jane Oliveira and Yannikson , under the direction of Mayura Matos .

Also on June 4, the public will be able to watch the show Ao vivo (dento da cabeça de alguém) , starring Renata Sorrah in partnership with the Companhia Brasileira de Teatro (PR). Inspired by the classic play The Seagull , by Chekhov , director Marcio Abreu has written a new play to reflect on current issues. The show will take place at 8 pm at the Teatro Simões Lopes Neto and there will be a new session on the 5th at the same place and time.

Another major attraction of this edition (originally scheduled for last year's Palco Giratório) is the show Zaratustra: uma transvaloração dos Valores , a show by Grupo Tá na Rua (RJ) directed by Amir Haddad, based on the work of German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche . The sessions will take place from June 6 to 8 at Sala Álvaro Moreyra (av. Érico Veríssimo, 307). The full program of the Festival is available on the event website ( https://www.sesc-rs.com.br/palcogiratorio/programacao ).