A SCREAM IN THE DARK  

A SCREAM IN THE DARK is a project by Companhia Nova de Teatro that investigates some aspects of military dictatorship and censorship in Brazil (1964-1985)—one of the most obscure periods from the recent history of the country.

Based on political prisoners’ testimonies and letters filed in the National Archives of Brazil, this multimedia play casts a glance on women who were arrested and tortured during the Brazilian Military Regime.

In this solo performed by Carina Casuscelli, a woman finds archive boxes in a dark room. The archived documents are read and interpreted by the woman, with the support of video and slide projections, evoking memories and flashes of one of the most tenebrous periods of Brazilian history.

The show’s scenic design and dramaturgy are signed by Lenerson Polonini, a director from Rio de Janeiro with most of his career path developed in São Paulo. At 45, this co-founder of the awarded Companhia Nova de Teatro has his work known by visual appealing, stylized, performative mise-en-scènes that use video as light source and as the unconscious reverberation of the characters.

At this moment when authoritarianism arises in the world and threatens democracy and freedom of speech, it’s essential that the Arts bring critical and poetical thoughts on the events of our time and warn on how corrosive the populist totalitarian regimes are.

CREDITS

Dramaturgy and direction – Lenerson Polonini.  Actress: Carina Casuscelli. Music – Wilson Sukorski. Videos –  Téo Ponciano. Costumes – Carina Casuscelli. Light designer – Lenerson Polonini. Sound Technician   – Felipe Moraes. Light Technician – Verônica Castro. Translator – Felipe Moraes. Collaboration of translation – Eduardo Brito. Photos –  Henrique Oda. Produced by Companhia Nova de Teatro in association with La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club.