Brazier (Braseiro)

Synopsis

The play unfolds in a small house steeped in poverty, where the Son, his Father, Grandmother, and Mother grapple with the imminent threat of violence from a mob led by Zé Galinha, seeking retribution for theft. The narrative is punctuated by the sounds of the outside chaos and the internal turmoil of the family as they face an ethical and moral dilemma: whether to save the Son’s brother, who has been captured and is about to be executed, or to protect themselves.

The play explores themes of family loyalty, survival, and the moral complexities of justice. It is a drama structured in a linear narrative with episodic intensity, capturing the claustrophobic and desperate atmosphere within the single-room house. The setting is stark, with minimalistic elements that highlight the family’s dire circumstances and the emotional weight of their decisions.