© Tomás Laranjo / Auditions for “Do Terreiro ao Mundo”, a New Creation by Clara Andermatt for Companhia Instável

Do Terreiro ao Mundo
New Creation by Clara Andermatt
A commission from the Vila Real Municipal Theatre in co-production with the Lagos Cultural Centre

“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