Henrique, a “precarious prince” wants to translate Shakespeare into Portuguese, but he has to spend his days doing technical translations of forklifts and flushing toilets to make a living. Henrique is married to Iolanda, a kindergarten teacher, but they don’t have children yet because they are looking for “financial stability”. This is the motto of Henrique IV, parte 3, the latest play by Jacinto Lucas Pires, which opens on November 9 at Teatro Carlos Alberto (TeCA) in Porto.

As well as writing the text, Jacinto Lucas Pires is also directing a show starring Sir John Falstaff, Shakespeare’s fat genius who became one of the most famous figures in the British playwright’s dramatic work, played by actor Ivo Alexandre. The play includes excerpts from Henry IV parts 1 and 2, translated by Gualter Cunha, but presents in an “unprecedented” way part 3 of his Henry IV, which Shakespeare didn’t know about.

Henrique IV, parte 3 is Ninguém’s second theatrical incursion, by Jacinto Lucas Pires, at the Carlos Alberto Theatre after the premiere of Adalberto Silva Silva in 2013. The playwright’s relationship with TNSJ venues is a long one, with his texts mirrored in emblematic shows at the House, such as Exactamente Antunes, from Nome de Guerra, directed by Nuno Carinhas and Cristina Carvalhal, or Figurantes, directed by Ricardo Pais. Henrique IV, parte 3 is a co-production of the theater company with the TNSJ, is for ages 14 and up and can be seen until November 13: from Wednesday to Saturday at 21h00 and on Sunday at 16h00.