QUANTUM - A EVOLUÇÃO

Where did we come from? Where are we going?

The existential questions that surround us since the dawn of consciousness, that cross cultures, eras, and belief systems, and that drive us to seek answers to our place in the universe.

Science tells us about the Big Bang, evolution, and the emergence of life. Religions and philosophies propose different views on the origin of the soul, the universe, and human purpose.

Then arose the desire to address these questions from an artistic perspective. S.A.Marionetas, after research with children aged 3 to 10, and with consultancy from the University of Coimbra, aims to bring to life a creative vision of the events that have led us to this point, with its feet firmly planted in science and its head firmly planted in children's imagination.

Quantum, the company's new large-scale project, will be divided into two parts. The first – Quantum Origin – to be performed on the streets of Alcobaça on September 27, 2025, takes us on a journey from the creation of the universe to the emergence of life from the aquatic environment; the second – Quantum Evolution – premiering in October 2026, takes us through the evolution of species.

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Credits

Original and Staging: José Manuel Valbom Gil, Natacha Costa Pereira, and Sofia Olivença Vinagre

Puppeteers: Ana Rebelo, Joana Borges, José Manuel Valbom Gil, Luís Bonito, Luís Godinho, Natacha Costa Pereira, Rodrigo Costa Pereira, Rodrigo Gil Moreira

Puppet Construction: Joana Borges, José Manuel Valbom Gil, Natacha Costa Pereira, Rodrigo Costa Pereira, Rodrigo Gil Moreira

Costumes: Sofia Olivença Vinagre

Scenic Structures: José Manuel Valbom Gil, Luís Gil

Seamstress: Olinda Lopes

Original Music: Edgar Alexandre

Musical Performance: Beatriz Xavier Pires, Edgar Alexandre

Sound Design: Edgar Alexandre, Natacha Costa Pereira

Text: Natacha Costa Pereira

Narration: Frederico Gil Moreira, Maria Vinagre Cristina, Miguel Vinagre Cristina, Rosarinho Costa Pereira

Graphic Design: Rodrigo Gil Moreira

Photography and Video Registration (Creation): Rodrigo Moreira, Joana Borges

Photography and Video Registration (Show): Pedro Luís

Research: José Manuel Valbom Gil, Natacha Costa Pereira, and Sofia Olivença Vinagre

Consultancy: Paulo Trincão (Centro de Ciência Viva da Universidade de Coimbra)

Executive Production: Beatriz Xavier Pires, Sofia Olivença Vinagre

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Institutional Support: Portuguese Republic – Culture, Youth and Sport / Directorate-General for the Arts

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Sustained Support Programme for the Arts - Theatre (2025-2026) Co-production | Municipality of Alcobaça Institutional Partnership | Agrupamento de Escolas de Cister, Exploratório - Centro de Ciência Viva da Universidade de Coimbra, Monastery of Alcobaça / Museums and Monuments of Portugal

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Support to the Structure | O Reencontro - Restaurante, Corações Unidos - Pensão, Caixa de Crédito Agrícola, Armazém das Artes Support | Union of Parishes of Alcobaça and Vestiaria, Restaurante O Zé da Loja

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Media Partners | Rádio Cister, Jornal Região de Cister, Jornal O Alcoa, Pedro Luís - Video, Photography and Multimedia

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Bibliography | “(Toda) a Ciência em Três Grandes Perguntas” by Philip Ball and Bernardo P. Carvalho; “As Peças Mais Pequenas - Tudo o que vemos é feito do que não vemos” by Miriam Alves and Yara Kono; and “Como Aqui Chegámos? - Do Big Bang ao dia em que nasceste” by Philip Bunting.