New play merges fiction and reality in an intense exploration of existential themes

Lagoa welcomes the premiere of ‘The Three Sisters’ on May 22 (Friday) at 7pm. Directed by Diogo Freitas and written by Filipe Gouveia, the new adaptation of Tchekhov’s 1901 classic explores the blurred boundaries between theatre, fiction and reality.

Rather than a direct adaptation, the production follows a theatre company attempting to stage ‘The Three Sisters’. What unfolds is an intense rehearsal drama that raises questions around casting choices, creative differences, cancel culture, and the relevance of presenting a Russian classic today.

Set inside a prestigious theatre over the course of 24 hours, tensions arise as Clara, Marta and Tomás navigate artistic frustrations, unpaid contracts, and a script that continues to change throughout rehearsals. The director struggles to maintain control, whilst the playwright arrives with rewritten pages midway through the process. Tchekhov himself, expected to attend, never appears.

The boundaries between fiction and reality begin to blur, “Are we or are we not doing ‘The Three Sisters’?” one character asks. “Yes. But differently,” Is the response. The play draws parallels with the Ship of Theseus paradox, questioning how much a work can change before it becomes something entirely new.

Described as both an intense rehearsal drama and a reflection on humanity, the cast includes Clara Nogueira, Diogo Freitas, Filipe Gouveia, Marta Andrino, Rafael Gomes and Tomás Bárbara.

Produced by Momento – Artistas Independentes, the play is co-produced with the Carlos do Carmo Auditorium in Lagoa, Teatro Diogo Bernardes in Ponte de Lima, Teatro Gil Vicente in Barcelos, Cineteatro Louletano, Teatro José Lúcio da Silva in Leiria, and Teatro Municipal de Bragança.

Following its premiere in Lagoa, the production will go on a national tour until March 2027.

Tickets cost €8 and can be purchased online through Bol. Discounts are available for holders of the Passaporte +65, Passaporte 24-64, Passaporte Acessível, Passaporte Jovem and passaporte Município.

___

Follow Essential Algarve Magazine on Instagram, Facebook, X or Linkedin for more news!

You might also like:

Viceroy at Ombria Algarve unveils its Full Moon Rituals programme for the coming months