Portuguese Theatre Tackles Stigma of Bipolar Disorder Through Performance

A Portuguese theatre company is using the performing arts to challenge and reduce the stigma surrounding bipolar disorder. The play, titled Oxímoro, entre Solstícios e Equinócios (Oxymoron, Between Solstices and Equinoxes), was staged by the company Marionet from March 20 to 24, 2024, at the BlackBox of Convento São Francisco in Coimbra, Portugal. This production aimed to raise awareness and provide an informed perspective on bipolar disorder through a collaboration involving medical professionals, researchers, and individuals with lived experiences of the condition.

The initiative stemmed from a desire to address the misconceptions surrounding bipolar disorder. The play’s promotional material highlights a common misunderstanding, where people trivialize mood swings by likening them to bipolar disorder. As emphasized in a short trailer, the condition has significant biological components that are often overlooked in casual discussions.

In developing the play, Mário Montenegro, a representative of Marionet and the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies at the Universidade de Coimbra, noted the importance of accuracy in portraying sensitive topics. “We realized we needed to be even better informed,” Montenegro explained. The creative process involved interviews with patients, healthcare providers, and families affected by bipolar disorder, ensuring that the narrative accurately reflected their lived experiences.

The play comprises multiple scenes with diverse characters, rather than a singular narrative arc. This structure allows for a more nuanced exploration of the disorder, encompassing various perspectives and situations. Following the six performances, audience members were asked to provide feedback through questionnaires. Out of approximately 300 attendees, 54 responses were collected, indicating a strong emotional engagement with the material.

According to the analysis of the feedback, emotional resonance significantly enhanced the audience’s understanding of bipolar disorder. The findings suggest that empathy and personal identification with the characters helped to assimilate scientific information, thereby contributing to a reduction in stigma.

Montenegro asserted that emotion can strengthen the message when guided effectively through theatre. He emphasized the importance of leaving interpretations open-ended, allowing spectators to engage with the content based on their personal sensitivities. “An important aspect of our play was not to offer a pre-established interpretation,” he noted.

This innovative approach to science communication through theatre is gaining recognition. Researcher Luisa Massarani from the Brazilian Institute of Public Communication of Science and Technology remarked on the significance of emotional engagement in conveying complex health issues. She noted that emotions are often underexplored in science communication, despite their potential for fostering deeper connections with the audience.

The paper detailing this project, titled “Theatre and bipolar disorder: dealing with emotions,” co-authored by Montenegro, Silvia Carballo, and Francisca Moreira, appears in a special issue of the Journal of Science Communication. It calls for further investigation into the role of emotions in science communication, aiming to inspire global initiatives that effectively address public health issues.

As the conversation around mental health continues to evolve, the Marionet theatre company’s work exemplifies the potential of performing arts to foster understanding and empathy, ultimately reducing stigma and promoting informed discussions about bipolar disorder and mental health in general.