This play is centred around the dictatorship of Salazar and his regime known as the Estado Novo; it was an authoritarian and anti-parliamentary government in Portugal that continued over many years from 1933 to 1974. A time when women were censored and subordinate to men. Any sign of female independence was severely punished. The Three Maria’s “inspired by Maria de Fatima Velho da Costa, Maria Isabel Barreno, and Maria Teresa Horta are the authors of the New Portuguese Letters”. A book written by the Maria’s to celebrate their womanhood, sexuality and defiance in an opposing system that saw men holding primary power and privilege. Stoic feminists with a voice, open to opportunity, and penned their writings of poetry, essays and short prose to challenge their oppression. They risked prison and ridicule if their book was to be published. A fate the Maria’s were never deterred by. Soon after their first publication it was banned and used figuratively as a ‘whipping stick’.
The first scene begins with passion and drama when one of the Maria’s comes in limping following a beating in the street by men, shocked and angered it was at this point they made a pact to write. A living room filled with books; a typewriter and the dull tones of radio broadcasts intermittently filled the air. The lights darkened during set changes as props were moved, and the Maria’s interchangeably moved into character, with one scene emulating a court room. A fight scene takes place, as two of the Maria’s re-enact the oppressive brutality of life, intensifying the drama and realism of domestic violence and female violation.
The Three Maria’s succeeds in its purpose to tell this lesser-known story of three Portuguese women who through their art challenged this dictatorship and created a global movement. It has passion and grace and is narrated and directed very well. It requires concentration and attention to detail as each performer layers their own personality and story within it. The relevance is poignant as it portrays the rise of authoritarian figures and policies that oppress women in society today.
A feminist call to action that audiences will respect and appreciate.
Written by Eduardo Nogueira
Directed by Wendy McEwan
Assistant Director Zuza Soltykowska
Producers Eduarda Nogueira Zuza Soltykowska
Reviewer: Michelle Knight
Reviewed: 21st August 2025
North West End UK Rating: