© Tomás Laranjo / Auditions for “Do Terreiro ao Mundo”, a New Creation by Clara Andermatt for Companhia Instável
Do Terreiro ao Mundo is a dance that traverses time. Its steps trace threads of faith, struggle, and craft. What begins in the churchyard extends beyond, carried in body and memory, forging new paths, becoming change, and a living force. It is here.
The new creation by Companhia Instável for 2025 responds to a challenge from Teatro Municipal de Vila Real, which invited the company to develop a project inspired by the universe of the Pauliteiros de Miranda, with choreographer Clara Andermatt.
Rooted in the so-called “sword dances,” the Pauliteiros de Miranda are one of the most emblematic traditional expressions of the Trás-os-Montes region, combining warrior, religious, and ritualistic elements. Since April 2025, the Ritual Dances of the Pauliteiros performed during Miranda do Douro’s traditional festivities have been part of Portugal’s National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Clara Andermatt
She was born in Lisbon. Considered one of the pioneers of the new Portuguese dance movement, Clara Andermatt’s career has revealed, over the years, a unique artistic identity in both the national and international artistic scenes. She began her dance training with her mother, Luna Andermatt, and graduated from the London Studio Centre and the Royal Academy of Dance in London. Between 1984 and 1988, she joined the Companhia de Dança de Lisboa, directed by Rui Horta, and between 1989 and 1991, the Companhia Metros in Barcelona, led by Ramón Oller.
In 1991, she founded her own company. She has choreographed around 60 pieces, regularly presented in Portugal and abroad, some of which have received prestigious national and international awards.
In 1994, she began a strong relationship with Cape Verde, which materialized in several creation projects with local performers, training actions, and collaborations with artists from different fields.
Her language is always in a process of reinvention, marked by travel, encounters with other cultures and artistic languages, and the desire to work with both trained and untrained bodies. Her work has always had a dual dimension: artistic and inclusive.
Dance
Premiere
Sep 13 / Teatro Municipal de Vila Real
Next presentations
Sep 26 / Centro Cultural de Lagos
Direction and Choreography: Clara Andermatt
Musical Composition: Luís Pedro Madeira
Artistic Assistance and Rehearsal Direction: Vera Santos
Performers/Creative Collaborators: Afonso Cunha, Deeogo Oliveira, Noel Quintela, Sérgio Cobos, Tiago Miguel, and Tiago Soares
Interns: Beatriz Correia and Inês Alves
Lighting: Pedro Pires Cabral
Sound Implementation and Operation: Henrique Lopes
Set and Costume Design: Gabriela Gomes
Production: Instável – Centro Coreográfico
A commission by Teatro Municipal de Vila Real in co-production with Centro Cultural de Lagos
Instável – Centro Coreográfico is supported by the Portuguese Republic – Culture / Directorate-General for the Arts