The Beauty wouldn’t fall Asleep

The Princess is tired, very tired. So tired that all she wants to do is sleep. There is always so much to do… It’s a curse! At the end of another week of chores and commitments the Princess lays down to rest a little and never wakes up. She isn’t dead, only asleep. In her hand, a mobile phone reads: «Sleep now, only the kiss of Your Destiny will wake you. » What is the Princesses’ Destiny? What kiss is this? Does it have her consent – will it be with feeling?

Joana Bértholo

Writer and dramatist: she writes for books and for the stage. She holds a degree in Communication Design from the University of Fine Arts of Lisbon; and a PhD in Cultural Studies from Germany. She has written several novels, story books and a book for children and young adults (The Museum of Thought) published by Editorial Caminho; as well as other texts through other publishers. She has a second children’s book about the Sea-Horse, published with INCM/Patológic. In theatre she wrote for the Festival de Teatro das Compras and supported the dramaturgy for the creations of various different authors: Madalena Victorino, Raquel Castro, Cláudia Andrade, Rita Delgado, Carlos Marques, among others. For the younger generations, she collaborated with Filipe Caldeira and Catarina Gonçalves on Lusco-Fusco, and with João de Brito on Insuflável. Her first play (Quarto Minguante) debuted in 2018 at TNDMII, with stage direction by Álvaro Correia. This was followed by Corpo-Arena, which should have debuted in Italy when the pandemic emerged; and Coisas Que Podiam Ser Ditas (about Othelo), in November 2022, for the Companhia Gato Que Ladra.

The story written by Joana Bértholo will be available on the LU-CA social media channels during the month of January.