In scene, the spectacle: restoration, culture, and memory in centenary of the Municipal Theatre of São João da Boa Vista

• Grant number: 14/10116-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2014
• End date: June 30, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - History - History of Brazil
• Principal Investigator: Maria Inez Machado Borges Pinto
• Grantee: Luis Pedro Dragão Jeronimo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In November 1914, it was inaugurated in the lands covered coffee in São João da Boa Vista the best Municipal Theatre in the state of São Paulo until then. Much of its structure and almost any finish except the fine woods were imported from Europe by the elite of the city of 38,000 inhabitants in the period. The coffee was the impetus. For the Theatre. To the city. For the modernization of that piece of land situated in the foothills of the Serra da Mantiqueira. With the 1929 crisis, the luxury of sanjoanenses land disappeared and the imposing theater we saw plunged into deeper decay. Skating rink, Movie Theater and then contemplated the demolition for the construction of a parking lot on his land were his destiny. Until the 1980s, the decaying giant that was ending behind the Cathedral dedicated to St. John the Baptist, was a scar in the center of the city so nice, but that was already showing signs of real estate speculation. Gradually, the houses of those who built their theater - monument were being razed and new buildings, 10, 20 stories have emerged. Only one of the old houses and the theater remained. The house, a family to bail, resisted bravely, but the decaying and there is already closed Cineteatro decade was threatened by the decline of fortune from its owner and seductive proposed demolition and building something more "profitable". With the threat of losing one of the "crown jewels" of the city, the city in the first half of the 1980s, decided to move and prevent the arbitrary demolition. Supported by the population, then mayor bought in two parts, the movie theater and began the restoration of the building so that it again become a Municipal Theatre of fact. For about sixteen years, the restoration involved a large team of highly regarded professionals who have devoted great art in the process. Getting ready in 2002, today rescues a glorious past of the city in a hundred years, only doubled its population compared to 1914, year of the inauguration of the theater. Your current audience is very different from that of the 1910s or 1920s and its space is a great incentive for sanjoanense culture. In the renovated Theatre at present are from the State Symphony Orchestra of São Paulo (OSESP) shows up pagode. Of Shakespeare's plays to monologues by local artists. The culture and the fun mix. The popular and "cult" share the same space. Is also positioned as a place of memory, of belonging. Part of the history of São João da Boa Vista, its culture, as well as sanjoanenses Pagú and Guiomar Novaes. The proposed theater is the home of all the shows, with their open doors for those who want to enter, but the question that instigates this project is the Municipal Theatre of São João da Boa Vista is really seen the majority of its population as a place of memory, belonging and culture. Many of their shows are free, but it is impossible to ignore the barrier that building built with imported materials, Italian marble, Venetian glass and crystal chandeliers from Bohemia issue in its less favored public. The entry of many shows is free, but the question of "can enter the clothes that I am?" many make can not be ignored .We have a theater imposing architecture, of great historical value, of great wealth. We have a site that underwent a reframing of the local elite to place all, in theory. We have a site that is challenged since its restoration to be really a place for everyone, or rather of all public (symphonic orchestra and groups of pagode). We aim in this research, pointing out the challenges to be popular even dress tailcoat, being all even though many do not know they can cross your threshold and to preserve this space. Be the scene of Culture and Memory for all and restore the history of São João da Boa Vista in a glittering spectacle that is completing its centenary. (AU)