The Macanese Patuá-language drama group Dóci Papiaçám di Macau wants to bring productions outside Macau again.
Established in 1993, the group performed a big show in Lisbon, Portugal in 1999, just months before Macau’s handover from Portugal to the People’s Republic of China, according to local Macanese lawyer Miguel de Senna Fernandes, the group’s playwright and director.
In mid 2010’s, Dóci Papiaçám di Macau sent a small group to perform a skit in Malacca.
As travel has returned to post-pandemic normal, the group now eyes opportunities to perform outside Macau again, Senna Fernandes told Good News Macau on the sidelines of the 34th Macao Arts Festival (MAF) Press Conference at MGM Cotai earlier this week.
“We’ve been addressing the Cultural [Affairs] Bureau about our interest to go outside, to major cities, even beyond the Greater Bay Area, and to Lisbon again,” he said.
The 34th MAF will take place from 3 May to 7 June, featuring 19 selected programmes, including Dóci Papiaçám di Macau’s “A Star is Arriving”, which tells the story of substitute drama teacher Delia and former gambling promoter Giselda, who see their lives intersect when one of them accepts the seemingly childish challenge of getting a shy, stuttering girl on stage.
The Patuá drama group has participated in the MAF every year since 1997.
A Star is Arriving will be held at the Macao Cultural Centre’s (CCM) Grand Auditorium on 11 and 12 May.
Senna Fernandes said the audience can expect the “usual happy environment … the biggest comedy” this year, with nearly two dozen actors and actresses, including, for the very first time, five tweens (pre-teen children aged 8-12).
“We have an 11-year-old … [and] two siblings aged 9 and 10,” he pointed out. “They will be singing, dancing and acting. They are quite keen on theatre, which is good.”
He added, “Of course, they have to learn the [Patuá] pronunciation and other things but it’s all about fun and, since it’s fun, it’s easier for us to promote [the language] among them [young people]. It’s a lot of work but I think it’s rewarding.”
Patuá is a Portuguese-based creole language originated in Macau among the city’s community of mixed Portuguese and Asian heritage. The language is influenced by several other languages like Malay, Cantonese, English and Spanish, among others.
Meanwhile, the 34th MAF is organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) and supported by Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), TDM, Air Macau and MGM. For more information visit the festival’s official website. (Gilbert Humphrey)
Photos: Good News Macau/Gilbert Humphrey
Caption: (main photo) Dóci Papiaçám di Macau’s founding director Miguel de Senna Fernandes (right) and co-founder Sonia Palmer post for a photo after the 34th Macao Arts Festival (MAF) Press Conference at MGM Cotai earlier this week.
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