Salt Hands - Lambe Lambe

a journey through the world of miniature puppets to a tiny stage where theatre unfolds in a deeply individualized way

M.4 . 00h08

Lambe-lambe theatre, or miniature theatre, is a language of animated forms that occupies a reduced scenic space: short theatrical pieces are performed inside a small box. The actor-puppeteer operates from one side of the box while the spectator watches from another, mediated by miniature scenography, soundscapes, lighting, and a carefully crafted scenic atmosphere within. It is, therefore, a theatrical piece generally presented to one spectator at a time, within a condensed timeframe and space.
The Teatro e Marionetas de Mandrágora company presents a journey through the world of miniature puppets to a tiny stage where theatre happens in a deeply individualized way. This small-scale project of ours allows three spectators to enjoy it simultaneously, making it possible for families to watch the performance together.
By gathering these memories, we have prepared another theatrical proposal based on the show “Mãos de Sal” (Hands of Salt). Beyond the main performance, the spectator can also discover a collection of other small boxes and stage machines to observe, explore, or manipulate.

We take our inspiration from "lambe-lambe" theatre, which has a strong tradition in Brazil, and from "à la minute" cameras. These cameras were the true origin of the form; many of us still remember them as vintage photographic booths in public squares. There, the photographer would duck under a cloth to take and quickly develop the classic photo of children perched atop a wooden hobby horse.
The "lambe-lambe" style adapts this photographic ritual into a theatrical one: instead of a photo being developed inside the box, a miniature world comes to life for a single spectator peering through a viewfinder.

art

DIRECTION AND STAGING Clara Ribeiro
TEXT Clara Ribeiro
PERFORMANCE Joaquim de Sousa
ART DIRECTOR enVide neFelibata
PUPPETS enVide neFelibata
SET enVide neFelibata, Migvel Tepes
VOICE Clara Ribeiro, Filipa Mesquita, Joaquim de Sousa
SOUND ARRANGEMENT Hélder David Duarte
PROMOTIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY Ana Filipa Rodrigues, 23 Milhas + Joana Magalhães
PRODUCTION Teatro e Marionetas de Mandrágora
SUPPORT República Portuguesa - Cultura, DGARTES – Direção-Geral das Artes, Município de Espinho/Câmara Municipal de Espinho, Município de Gondomar
THANKS Beatriz Sousa, Fernando Graça, Firmino Gomes, José Amorim Sousa, Lurdes Amaral, Marcelo Reis, Maria Selene, Pedro Waciel, Ti Idália "Leitona", Ti Armando "Barraca"

download

MAOSDESAL - CLASSIFICAÇÃO ETÁRIA -- PT.PDF 216.2 KB
IMAGERY ARCHIVE DRAWINGS 8.1 MB
IMAGERY ARCHIVE PROTOTYPE 24.4 MB
IMAGERY ARCHIVE WORK IN PROGRESS 220.6 MB

PROMO DOSSIER - EN 2.4 MB
PROMO DOSSIER COMPRESSED - EN 1.1 MB

travelling theater

The outdoors, the street, and the open air are as much a way of being as they are a form of artistic dialogue. This is the privileged stage for community life. In a country like Portugal, the occupation of outdoor spaces—our squares, gardens, and beaches—is fundamental. These are places where the sun shines and where families, children, and spectators gather, turning artistic creation into a point of contact, with the sky and the landscape as their backdrop.
Since time immemorial, whether through small or large-scale works, historical contexts, or vibrant festivals, our territory has offered magnificent natural and urban spaces. We populate these settings with countless proposals born from our particular artistic way of being. Whether through new creations, itinerant performances, or the presentation of our beloved Teatro Dom Roberto, we believe that the street and the open air are inseparable from our journey.
The street is not simple; it contends with atmospheric unpredictability, the inconstancy of space, and shifting social dynamics. Yet, it is immediately embraced by the local population—the people who transform a fleeting performance into a lasting memory. We deeply value the outdoors and feel that it remains the ideal place to make art happen.

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