Evil Machines

January 2008

Luís Tinoco and Terry Jones are to premiere their brand new opera, Evil Machines, in Lisbon (Portugal), at São Luiz Municipal Theatre, on 12th January (9pm).

[Luís Tinoco and Terry Jones]

Luís Tinoco and Terry Jones

Terry Jones is once again working with São Luiz Theatre and with the well known Portuguese composer Luís Tinoco. Evil Machines, a Musical Fantasy is the second collaboration of the Welsh Monty Python with Tinoco. Jones and Luís Tinoco met for the first time in 2005, when the Portuguese composer musically arranged some of Terry Jones' children's stories. Fantastic Tales, staged at São Luiz, was a huge success and impressed Terry Jones.

The challenge was then taken further by Jorge Salavisa, São Luiz's Artistic Director, who invited Terry and Luís to write an opera. In Terry Jones' own words: "When the São Luiz Theatre asked if we'd have another go at collaborating I was very keen to do so. I had an unpublished book called Evil Machines which I thought I could very quickly turn into a libretto. So I totally changed the story and produced the libretto for the opera of Evil Machines. It consisted of tumble driers, telephones and gas cookers singing on stage. I had no idea how the theatre could put it on, but I thought: 'Well that's their problem.' However, with that touch of evil brilliance, which makes him such a successful theatrical impresario, Jorge Salavisa wrote back to me and suggested I might like to direct Evil Machines myself. So 'their problem' became 'my problem'. It was a clever move and one which Jorge knew I wouldn't be able to refuse."

In this 'adventure' Terry Jones and Luís Tinoco work together with the award winning Portuguese choreographer Paulo Ribeiro and costume designer Vin Burnham, who is the author of such unforgettable costumes as those of Batman and Catwoman in Tim Burton's film Batman Returns.

Evil Machines

A Musical Fantasy by Terry Jones and Luís Tinoco

12th January to 3rd February
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 9.00pm, Sunday at 5.30pm

Sign language session - Sunday 27th January at 5.30pm

São Luiz's Main Room