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2003

Almost Nothing (Quase Nada)

Written by Marcos Barbosa

Almost Nothing Royal Court Upstairs Ewan Stewart (Antonio) Nina Sosanya(Sara) ©Alastair Muir

Play Details

Context

Artistic Director
Ian Rickson

Translated by
Mark O’Thomas

Original Language 
Portugese

Part of
New Plays from Brazil (Rehearsed Reading)

Dates Performed

Monday 20th January 2003
Jerwood Theatre Upstairs

Play Details

Synopsis

Antonio, a man tormented by an incessant ringing in his ears, navigates the fraught landscape of his living room, where the everyday transforms into a stage for deeper anxieties and strained relationships. His wife, Sara, attempts to soothe his fears while grappling with her own unease. As they converse, Antonio’s obsessive focus on the mysterious noise and the violent incident that may have caused it reveals the cracks in their marriage. Their exchanges, filled with silences and sudden bursts of laughter, paint a vivid picture of a couple teetering on the edge, their home turned into a battleground of unresolved trauma and fear.

The play delves into themes of paranoia, the psychological aftermath of violence, and the fragility of human connections. Barbosa’s minimalist dialogue and careful pacing intensify the suspense, with each pause and silence amplifying the tension. Through Antonio and Sara’s interactions, the play explores how love and fear intertwine, creating a gripping narrative that captures the essence of human vulnerability. The form, marked by its focus on intimate, everyday moments, underscores the emotional weight of their ordeal, making Almost Nothing a powerful examination of ordinary life under extraordinary stress.

Director(s)

Joe Hill-Gibbons

Image credit

All images credited to Alistair Muir

Cast & Creative

Cast

David Westhead

Cast

Michelle Fairley

Translator

Mark O'Thomas