Maputo will once again host the play "Prima Facie"

The Vinícius de Moraes auditorium at the Guimarães Rosa Institute (IGR-Maputo) hosted a new season of the acclaimed monologue Prima Facie, by Australian playwright Suzie Miller, on April 24, 25 and 26, as part of the celebrations for Mozambican Women's Month. Following the success of previous seasons, with sold-out performances in December 2025 and March 2026, the play's return reaffirmed the relevance of the debate on the gender perspective in the judicial system.

This season's events were sponsored by BCI as part of its 30th-anniversary celebrations. The Bank hosted two exclusive sessions on April 24th and 25th, specifically for institutional guests, clients, and partners. These sessions reinforce BCI's commitment to providing distinctive cultural experiences and bringing art closer to strategic audiences.

The staging, directed by the experienced Brazilian actor, director, manager, and theatre educator Expedito Araujo, who is celebrating 30 years of his career, presents a unique approach worldwide. Instead of a single actress, the Mozambican version brings together a cast of eleven actresses from four nationalities—Mozambique, Portugal, Italy, and Spain—to bring the central character, Tessa, to life. On stage, Ana Fernandes, Carmen Alcobio, Catarina Caetano, Celma Costa, Gina Montserrat, Giselda de Castro, Inês Santos, Mar Correia, Neira Gafur, Tânia Nobre, and Tina Lorizzo alternated in a theatrical exercise that amplifies the protagonist's multiple layers.

“Prima Facie” centers on the story of Tessa, a defense attorney specializing in sexual violence cases, whose view of the justice system is shaken when she becomes a victim of the very structures she once dominated. The monologue, an intense reflection on justice, women's rights, and power relations, was originally conceived by Suzie Miller, a former lawyer who transformed her experiences and feminist perspective into a text that became a global phenomenon.

Translated into more than 30 languages, the play has toured stages around the world with enormous success. After long and successful runs on Broadway and in the West End, the play is currently running in Australia, Brazil, and several other countries. The version starring Jodie Comer, directed by Justin Martin, has won multiple prestigious awards, including the Tony Award for Best Actress and the Olivier Awards for Best New Play and Best Actress.

In Mozambique, the production, translated by Ana Mesquita, premiered in December 2025 to a full house, repeating the feat in the March sessions of this year, accumulating more than a thousand spectators over nine days of screenings. Its return in April reinforces its relevance within Mozambican Women's Month, highlighting the universality of gender-based violence and the weaknesses of justice systems, issues of particular importance in the national context.

By supporting this initiative, BCI reinforces its ongoing commitment to promoting culture and empowering women, with a special focus on female artistic expression. The Bank has prioritized supporting cultural initiatives of recognized relevance and impact that, in addition to enriching the national artistic landscape, promote reflection on key societal issues, consolidating its role as an active agent in the social and cultural development of the country. At the same time, this action contributes to deepening the debate around equal opportunities, inclusion, and sustainability.