“A Pedra Escura”, an award-winning Spanish play, returns to Rio stages

The play “A Pedra Escura”, written by Alberto Conejero and awarded in Spain, returns to the stages of Rio de Janeiro. Set in a military hospital room during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), the plot presents an intense confrontation between prisoner Rafael Rodríguez Rapún (played by Vino Fragoso) and the young guard Sebastian (Lucas Popeta).

Rafael, a revolutionary, and Sebastian, a soldier who barely knows his prisoner, are forced to share the final hours of Rafael’s life. The tension intensifies with the countdown until dawn, when Rafael can be executed.

At the heart of the play is Rafael’s desperate mission: to save the last work of the celebrated Spanish writer Federico Garcia Lorca, whose words are brought to life by Carmo Dalla Vecchia, in voiceover.

Lorca, a historical figure who was executed by the Francoist army in 1936 for his sexual orientation and political views, left in Rafael’s custody a manuscript of a play that tells the love story between two men.

As the plot unfolds, Rafael tries to convince Sebastian to preserve this priceless work, a task that becomes an emotional and ideological battle between the two men. The dialogue between them reveals the humanity, fear and hope that survive even in the darkest times.

“The Dark Stone” is more than a play about war; is a reflection on the fight for memory, art and love in times of oppression. The play offers audiences an opportunity to relive a true story that celebrates resistance and courage in the face of tyranny.

“The Dark Stone”: June 27th to July 14th (Thursday to Sunday), 8pm
Domingos Oliveira Theatre: Av. Padre Leonel Franca, 240.
Duration: 120 minutes