A video shows boos and requests for respect after the removal of Brazilian Sign Language (Libras) interpreters from the stage during the show "Fim de Partida", on Sunday (18), in Porto Alegre. According to spectators, actor Marco Nanini asked to be removed because the lighting on the professionals was interfering with their performance.
Deaf actor Lucas Bourscheid, 32 years old, was in the audience at the session and reported moments of frustration and embarrassment after the interpreters were removed from the stage.
"Art is for everyone and the deaf community has the right to participate, understand and experience the show in their own language, Libras", comments the spectator.
According to Bourscheid, the show had accessibility features, including Libras and audio description. He remembers that he was eager to follow the presentation and that, about five minutes after it started, he noticed movement involving Marco Nanini and the interpreters.
The spectator says that, after the production attempted to resolve the situation, the interpreters were removed from the performance.
"I didn't realize it at the time, but I saw the Libras interpreters start to ask themselves: 'What do I do?'. [...] Afterwards, the interpreter returned to the stage and informed the deaf community that [the interpretation] had been cancelled. We started to get scared, frustrated, shocked", he reports.
The show continued without accessibility, which caused people to leave — either because they needed an interpreter or in protest at what had happened. The curtains closed and the audience booed Nanini.
Outside, Bourscheid would have spoken to the production team at Pequena Central and argued that the show should then be canceled for the entire public.
"I'm complaining because I have the right to accessibility in the theater. It's not a favor, it's a right", he says.
In a statement, the producer Pequena Central de Produções Artísticas explains that "a compatibility problem was identified between the positioning of the Libras interpreter and the lighting of the show" and admits that "it failed to check and guarantee in advance the technical conditions necessary to carry out the session with interpretation in Libras".
The Theatro São Pedro Foundation, responsible for the cultural space, regrets what happened and states that "despite the possibilities evaluated and the efforts made, it was not possible to find a solution that covered all the needs involved at that time, and the play was presented again without Libras' interpretation".
g1 tried to contact the actor Marco Nanini, but had no response until the publication of this report.
This was the second performance of the show in the capital of Rio Grande do Sul. The first session took place on Saturday night (17), without any complications.
Samuel Beckett's classic text is performed by Marco Nanini, Guilherme Weber, Helena Ignez and Ary França.
What the producer says
"NOTE OF CLARIFICATION
The Pequena Central de Produções Artísticas, producer of the show Fim de Partida, comes out to clarify what happened in the session this Sunday, October 18th, at Teatro Simões Lopes Neto, in Porto Alegre, announced with audio description and interpretation in Libras.
During the presentation, a compatibility problem was identified between the positioning of the Libras interpreter and the lighting of the show. The session was briefly interrupted so that the production and the Fundação Theatro São Pedro team could look for a solution. It was not possible to resolve the problem at that time, and the presentation was resumed without interpretation in Libras, compromising the deaf public's access to the show.
We recognize that the production failed to previously verify and guarantee the technical conditions necessary to carry out the session with interpretation in Libras in this theater. We assume full responsibility for this failure and its consequences.
We sincerely apologize, especially to the harmed deaf public, the interpreters and other people involved.
Accessibility is part of our commitment to the public and must also be ensured in the planning and execution of each presentation."
What the Theatro São Pedro Foundation says
"The Theatro São Pedro Foundation informs that, during the presentation of the show Fim de Partida, held this Sunday (18), at Teatro Simões Lopes Neto, a technical problem occurred involving the lighting intended for the interpretation service in Libras.
Faced with the situation, the Foundation team acted directly in mediation between those involved, seeking technical alternatives that would allow the show to continue and maintain adequate accessibility conditions. Despite the possibilities evaluated and the efforts made, it was not possible to find a solution that covered all the needs involved at that time, and the piece was presented again without Libras' interpretation.
The Foundation is very sorry for what happened, especially the damage caused to the deaf community present. The commitment to accessibility is one of the pillars of the institution, which understands that culture is created through access and respect for all audiences.
Theatro São Pedro Foundation"
