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The actor prevented about 50 late people from attending the session of his play
Punctuality. It is what the actor Antônio Fagundes has appreciated in engagements for more than 40 years, mainly in the plays in which he acts. The rule is described in the tickets for the shows, including the current Baixa Terapia, which is set in Rio de Janeiro. “The show begins strictly at the scheduled time and entry is not permitted after start without exchange of tickets and/or refunds,” reads the ticket.
In the last session of the play, which took place last Saturday (14th), about 50 people who were late were suspended and did not attend the show. Some threatened the staff, others banged on the theater doors, interrupting the session, which only resumed after the police arrived at the scene.
“We are outraged by the utter lack of affection and empathy towards the public from actor Antonio Fagundes and his team. I wish the pro to return to Sao Paulo because Rio is not his beach,” a viewer told O Globo newspaper.
“We (my husband and I, elderly) and about 50 other people were prevented from entering the theater to see the play. The day before, more than 30 people were blocked. This will be the case for the entire season ?” questioned another viewer about the artist’s attitude.
Antonio Fagundes has taken a stand and regrets that the punctuality of plays is not respected. “I’m actually uncomfortable talking about it because it’s like we have to explain to people what the word ‘begins’ means. If a play starts at 8 p.m., the person cannot arrive at the theater at 8 p.m. two minutes before and think they have the right to disturb others,” he commented.
“This is not a particular problem in Rio de Janeiro. It’s a cultural problem, ours. It’s like we’re so special that things can’t begin until we arrive. That’s why I stopped going to the cinema. Humans are impossible: they turn on the cell phone light and keep talking… It’s such a big inconvenience! I don’t want the audience of my plays to experience the same discomfort,” he added.
The artist also makes it clear that it’s not about educating anyone and that he already went through the same situation in a play when he was in Portugal. “People who arrive at the agreed time have the same problem as everyone else in the city. If it rained, it rained for everyone. If there was traffic, too. If there was lightning, ditto. I have no intention of enlighten someone, but respect for those who deserve to be respected,” he claimed.
“My idea is not to punish anyone for being late, but to give preference to those who arrived on time. I don’t know why people think there are certain rules in the theater that are followed in places like airports and tests like the Enem. Ticket is a contract signed with the audience. And there it is written: Once the session has started, you can no longer enter,” concluded Fagundes.
*In collaboration with Lara Delon