The “Bonecos de Santo Aleixo,” owned by the Centro Dramático of Évora, are operated by a “family” of professional actors who ensure the continuity of this artistic tradition from the Alentejo region.
Known and appreciated throughout the country, they have participated in numerous international festivals and host the Évora International Puppet Biennial (BIME), held since 1987. The performance space, called a “retábulo,” is constructed of wood and floral fabrics, replicating a traditional miniature stage with a proscenium curtain, painted cardboard backdrops, and its own lighting (an olive oil lamp); the puppets are made of wood and cork, measure between 20 and 40 centimeters in height, and are dressed in costumes that allow, as in naturalistic theater, the characters of the tale being told to be identified. The music is performed live. The texts, passed down orally, result from a fusion of popular culture and scholarly writing.