After its highly successful run at Absolut Fringe Dublin 2010, Self-portrait, a play written and performed by Ana Mendes, a Portuguese playwright, performer and filmmaker based in London, will be performed at Muiderpoorttheatre on the 8th, 9th and 10th September, at 21:15 and 21h55.
Self-portrait is about Ana Mendes’ identity. Over her life, she collected her personal details (medical records, examinations) and wondered what is the role that heritage plays in our life. Given the fact that a substantial part of our lives is predetermined by genetic factors, geographic origin and cultural background, among others, there is only a small part of our persona that can be developed. Nevertheless, it is the most important. The play questions the identity of citizens in a contemporary world in which they struggle to find their voice. Self-portrait could be a police questionnaire or a manifesto against all the interrogatories that citizens have to go through during their lives. But it is not. It is just a Self-portrait. Perhaps automatic.
The play reflects on the role that heritage plays in our life. Given the fact that a substantial part of our lives is predetermined by genetic factors, geographic origin and cultural background, among others, there is only a small part of our persona that can be developed. Nevertheless, it is the most important. The play questions the identity of citizens in a contemporary world in which they struggle to find their voice.
Self-portrait has been received with great acclaim in Absolut Fringe Dublin 2010, Exeter Fringe Festival (UK), Flare Festival (Manchester) and will be performed in Future MESS (Saravejo) and Balleteatro (Portugal).
Ana Mendes is a published writer and playwright in Portugal, France, Brazil and Switzerland. She is also the recipient of several literary and cinematographic awards. She made an MA in Writing for Performance at Goldsmiths College and gained a B.A. in Communication Sciences from Beira Interior University, Portugal.
Detailed information about Ana Mendes’ work, can be found on the website www.anamendes.com
After its highly successful run at Absolut