By: L. Agudo Nearly 60 years after being displaced from their childhood home by the authoritarian Brazilian government, four siblings return to the dust and rubble of their cherished memories. In the backyard of these ruins, real and fictional stories are woven together through distinct episodes featuring dancing, singing and storytelling, accompanied by four musicians who mirror each of the siblings. And of course, they can’t forget the coffee. As it is self-described, this is a “show that reveals the reality of the past by looking at the present”.
One of my primary goals over the last two years has been to engage with local theatre in São Paulo, and I have loved the vast range of experiences that this has brought me. However, of all the shows I have seen live, this may be my absolute favorite. This show made me laugh, cry and sing - like a good book, I simply didn’t want it to end. It presents the harsh realities of our country’s past, how centuries of neglect towards people of color have left many without the privilege of imagining themselves at older age, living lives with dignity and respect. In an increasingly commercialized and cynical world, this play is unapologetically genuine. In discussions with other audience members, we all agreed that we found ourselves disregarding which of these various episodes were based in reality or fiction - because the intentions beneath it all are so beautifully apparent. Everything on stage is thoroughly considered - from the evolving costumes to the intricate background, familiar props and the exceptional use of music and projection. It all comes together to tell stories of romance, hardship and perseverance. Bom Dia, Eternidade is a tribute to age, to art and to love, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Unfortunately, by the time you’ve read this review, the play has likely finished its run at Sesc Consolação. However, I highly encourage everyone to look out for future work from O Bonde, the small company which devised the piece, as well as future productions from Jhonny Salaburg, the writer, Luiz Fernando Marques Lubi, the director, and to engage with other works in São Paulo’s brilliant theatrical culture. To learn more about the production, visit: https://www.sescsp.org.br/programacao/bom-dia-eternidade/ And to find other productions occurring across São Paulo, I recommend: https://guiaoff.com.br/
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