Maria da Graça de Ataíde

Playwright whose theatre, despite its solid expression and in various ways surprising, remains practically ignored or forgotten. In 1923, at 17 years of age, she published under the pseudonym Leonel a quality dramatic poem, to which she gave the name of the pseudonym and the protagonist, Leonel, o Poeta e a Ilusão. Due to its poetic form, rhythm, imagery, and allegory, the theme of this drama is close to symbolism, making its author a most unique case in Portuguese theatre. 38 years later, the author signaled her talent with the play Espaço para Alguns (1961), an almost visionary play for its time, portraying humanity in a closed universe, the first passenger trip to the Moon. Under the guise of science fiction, this latest work was a precursor among us of existential issues and, to this extent, it is no exaggeration to call it a thesis play. Another play, Depois do Fim, still unpublished, continues the somewhat Sartrean work of reflection, evolving from a realistic language to reflective symbolism. Maria da Graça de Ataíde also wrote radio plays, one of which, O Assalto, deals ironically, through lively and well-crafted dialogue, with the problem of loneliness.