Theatro Circo, in Braga, welcomed 98,282 spectators in 2019 and had a ticket office close to 400 thousand euros, figures that this year will be “far below” due to the covid-19 pandemic, was announced today.
At a press conference to present the results and take stock of the resumption of activity at the Theater, the councilor for Culture in the Chamber of Braga, Lídia Dias, also announced that the venue had a positive result of four thousand euros.
For Lídia Dias, the “solidity of the results” allows Theatro Circo “to assert itself, in this period of pandemic, by the vanguard and innovation”.
The mayor, Ricardo Rio, emphasized that, despite the difficulties caused by the pandemic and that there was no direct state support to the fund, the Theater “honored all its responsibilities” that it had assumed with partners, service providers and collaborators.
Ricardo Rio stressed that the Theater “did not stop”, but “only interrupted its external activity for a few weeks”, having in that period opted for an online program, as it happened on April 21, the day on which the house celebrated 105 years and had an activity over more than 15 hours, with music, dance and poetry.
“We had 25,000 live views,” said Paulo Brandão, artistic director of Theatro Circo.
The house reopened to the public on June 25, having already hosted the initiative “7 Quintas Felizes” and cinema sessions.
“Even with all the limitations, we had over 950 spectators at ‘7 Quintas Felizes’ and 300 at the cinema sessions”, said Paulo Brandão.
With the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, Theatro Circo saw its maximum capacity drop from around 900 to 521 seats, a reality that, while it remains, makes it impossible to hire “more expensive” shows.
In recent years, the average number of spectators has been around 100 thousand, a number that this year will necessarily be much lower, due to the months in which the doors were closed and the restrictions in force.
According to Ricardo Rio, Theatro Circo was experiencing “a continuously very positive period” of its activity until the pandemic phase, registering an eclectic, diversified program that would meet different types of audiences ”, from within and outside the municipality .
“Over the past few years, the program has managed to have a membership higher than or very close to 100 thousand spectators per year, a remarkable number for a show room with a capacity of close to 900 seats”, he said.
The mayor also pointed out that the Theater is also “a catalyst for other dynamics” and actively participates in the articulation of projects “of great importance for the city”, such as Braga Cultura 2030 or Braga Media Arts.
Ricardo Rio also highlighted the “boldness” with which Theatro Circo assumes additional responsibilities.
“As of September, the Theater starts to coordinate the network of cultural spaces of a programmatic nature under the authority of the municipality, with the incorporation of the [edifício] ‘gnration’ and the preparation of the new Media Arts Center, which will be located in the old Cinema São Geraldo ”, he said.
In August, the Theater will be closed, reopening in September with a program that includes multiple performances by Portuguese artists, starting on the 5th with Miguel Ângelo, who will have Filipe Sambado and Chinaskee as guests
A week later, Theatro Circo receives Moullinex, with guest Selma Uamusse, followed, on September 18, by David Bruno, presenting the latest album, “Raiashopping”.
The next day, they take the stage in the room at Avenida da Liberdade Medeiros / Lucas, with Rui Souza at the piano, while Rui Massena closes the month of September on the 26th.
Also in September, the theatrical monologue “A Grande Vaga de Frio”, with Isabel Silvestre, is staged on the 11th.
Paulo Brandão also highlighted the show “From Mozart to Beethoven”, on October 3rd, by the Portuguese Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of Osvaldo Ferreira.
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