It's funny...

It's funny how we, sometimes, find out about hidden talents we had no idea we had. Something like that happened to me. About eight years ago a friend of mine who was writing a book (hi Iris!) asked me to read what she had already written, and to give my opinion. I confess I'm not to keen on giving my opinion without being asked, particularly if it's negative. But, as it wasn't the case, because what had already been written was very good; it was one of those books that asks to be read; and she asked for my opinion, I gave it. The book is titled "Infernal Paradise" and isn't yet published because the publishers in Portugal reveal that do not have enough vision. Sorry if I sound too full of myself, but when we believe in what we do... Anyway, I gave my opinion so intensely, that before we knew it, we were already writing it together.

From there to writing a play was a small step, and last year we wrote "Le Club Chez Moi", a play we also directed and performed, and that tells the story of an old night club/ cabaret from the time it was one of the hippest places to go out, until it entered times of decadence. It was one of the most important, and happiest experiences in my life. Firstly because we managed to get together a wonderful group of people that worked as a whole, and where everyone was important, and no one was worried about shining brighter than the other. Of course we had our disagreements along the way, a normal thing in a group of eleven people; but they occured as a result of our will to be successful in a project in which we all deeply believed. Secondly because it was a very well written, and performed play, if I may say so. And so, from 09/13/2006 to 10/12/2006 we peformed it in such diverse venues in Lisbon as OndaJazz, CaféCafé, Teatro Bocage, or Lisboa Club Rio de Janeiro.

For next year we are already getting ready another play: "Easy Life", about the lifes and experiences of two prostitutes in Lisbon. And, if for nothing else, it made me found out about another hidden talent, the ability to write lyrics for fado (portuguese folk music), in due time, you'll have the chance to see, and hear, if it really is a talent, or if it's just delusions of a troubled mind.

It's funny how we find out about hidden talents when we least expect it...