Vassilissa is a folk tale about the intergenerational transmission of the feminine power of intuition, from mother to daughter, symbolized by the pocket doll that the girl carries everywhere. It’s about the ability of insight, deep listening, feeling and knowing how to act upon, of understanding the veiled facet of things. In this ancient russian tale, the fire seeking forces the girl to leave her home and enter a new life as in a process of initiation. The aim is to build an affectionate and honest relationship with an old wild witch, Baba Jaga, to whom Vassilissa requests the fire. An actress performs the witch, Baba Jaga and amongst the public there’s a little girl that is invited to play the main role, Vassilissa, whilst all the children attentively watch. The children shall not be prepared for the play. They shall not know the story or be aware of the fact that a girl from the public is going to participate. The goal is to co- create a play with the young public - through the magic of play, the entrance into the ritual of theatre.

Website: www.obando.pt/pt/espectaculos/1998-2003/vassilissa-1998/

Inspired by the piece of: Afanasiev
Text: Bruno Stori
Direction: Letizia Quintavalla
Performance: Suzana Branco
Technical and Acting Support: Nicolas Brites e Guilherme Noronha
Production: O Bando
Co-production: Teatro Delle Briciole e Centro Cultural de Belém

O BANDO
Funded in 1974, Teatro O Bando is one of the Portuguese oldest cultural cooperatives. It’s a collective that chooses the aesthetic transfiguration as a method for civic and community participation. O Bando comes from street theatre and development of activities for childhood, in schools and cultural organizations, as part of des- centralization projects. It has always been connected to several national and international projects and fosters the “on the road” spirit, taking shows both to portuguese remote towns and overseas.