It Is and It Is Not: From the Myth's Backstage to the Stage — a journey that began in Portimão and continues across the country.

"It Is and It Is Not, or the true story of the guards who arrested Antigone" was born in May 2025 at TEMPO – Teatro Municipal de Portimão , and since then has been winning over audiences with its unique way of revisiting the myth of Antigone . But, unlike what often happens in interpretations of this tragedy, in this creation by the Companhia Cepa Torta we do not follow the heroine or the king.

Here, we look at those who have always remained on the margins of history: the guards .

They are the ones who captured Antigone , the intrepid daughter of Oedipus, and now they are preparing to celebrate the success of their mission. But what are they actually celebrating? Could they harbor feelings that contradict what they have done? Is there room for nuance when the world demands a choice between Antigone's side and Creon's? And why should these guards question themselves, if it forces them to confront their own fears, guilt, and contradictions?

It is on this unstable ground — between duty and conscience, between fear and courage — that the spectacle is built. "It Is and It Is Not" opens up a multiplicity of layers: the power of choices, the independence of those who decide, thinking before acting, accepting who we are in the eyes of others. Ultimately, it's a dive into the exact point where emotion and decision intersect.

With text and dramaturgy by Miguel Maia and performed by Brandão de Mello, Dai Ida, Mariana Camacho, Pedro Miguel Jorge and Rita Silvestre , the show is built upon a talented artistic and technical team — Inês Achando, David Leitão, Rui Seabra, Rita Rosa, Mariana Camacho , among others — who designed a visual and sound universe where intimacy and humor coexist with the depth of the issues raised.

Next stops: Faro and Penafiel

After Lisbon, the tour continues to Faro , where " É e Não É" will be presented on November 28th at the Teatro das Figuras . The show thus returns to the Algarve, reuniting with the audience of the region where it originated.

In Penafiel , at Ponto C – Cultura e Criatividade , the presentation will take place on December 12th , bringing these questions — as old as Antigone and as current as today's dilemmas — to the public in the north of the country.

And in 2026?

If there's one thing this show has revealed, it's that questions drive more than answers. So, after Portimão, Lisbon, Faro, and Penafiel, who knows where "It Is and It Is Not" will be in 2026?

New cities, new theaters, new conversations — and always the same desire to look at what has been left on the margins of history and give it a voice.

Keep an eye on the schedule on our website .