The stage adaptation of Dead Poets Society has become one of the most sought-after theatre tickets in Europe. Since its premiere in April at Lisbon's Teatro da Trindade, the production has played to full houses every single night, a streak that now extends to eight consecutive months. Originally scheduled to close in August, the run has been extended twice and will now continue until the end of the year. Yet even with the added performances, securing a seat remains nearly impossible: every show is sold out.
The play, based on the 1989 film that captured the imagination of generations, has struck a deep chord with Portuguese audiences. Director Hélder Gamboa, of Tenda Produções, which co-produces with the theatre, attributes the success to a combination of nostalgia and the enduring relevance of the story. "We see grandparents bringing grandchildren who have never seen the film, parents who saw the film with their children, now bringing them to show them this," he told Euronews. "This is a text we were needing at this moment. It gives us hope, makes us want to be more than someone who simply belongs to a flock, makes us want to have wings, to want to fly and to want to be ourselves."
A Portuguese take on a beloved classic
The production is a faithful stage adaptation of Tom Schulman's original screenplay, which earned him an Academy Award. The cast is led by Diogo Infante, one of Portugal's most respected actors and the artistic director of Teatro da Trindade, who plays the charismatic English teacher John Keating. Infante acknowledges the weight of stepping into a role immortalised by Robin Williams, who died in 2014. "It is a challenge, on the one hand, because I have to, in some way, deal with the memory of Robin Williams's unforgettable performance," he said. "But on the other hand it is a profound pleasure, because it is an exceptionally well-written text, of great relevance today, which allows me, five nights a week, to speak words that are inspiring and motivating."
Infante is joined by Virgílio Castelo as the stern headmaster Gale Nolan, and a young ensemble of eight actors recruited from drama schools across the country. Among them is 23-year-old Rui Pedro Silva, who plays Neil Perry, the student whose passion for theatre sets the story in motion. Silva deliberately avoided rewatching the film to keep his interpretation fresh. "I wanted to distance myself from the way the story was told at the time, but it is a film that has remained very vivid in my mind and that was very important for my development as an actor, as a person and as a teenager," he explained. "Each of us was also chosen because of the characteristics we share with our characters. I am very much a dreamer, very sensitive; I think I am a little like Neil."
The production's success is not limited to Lisbon. In January 2027, the play will embark on a nationwide tour, including 16 performances at Porto's Teatro Sá da Bandeira, which have already sold out. There are also plans for a possible return to the capital later in the year.
For Infante, the gruelling schedule of eight months of performances, five days a week, is a privilege rather than a burden. "Working in a tax office for 25 years, from nine to five, that is what is tiring," he said. "I have the privilege of working in the arts, I work in theatre, I work with emotions and passion, with full houses. That is a privilege I embrace every day. If there are days when I am more tired or less inspired, I take a deep breath and go on, because it is my duty."
The play's resonance extends beyond Portugal, tapping into a broader European appetite for stories that champion individuality and self-discovery. As the continent grapples with political and social uncertainties, the message of Dead Poets Society—to seize the day and think for oneself—has found a new urgency. The production's success in Lisbon is a testament to the enduring power of theatre to connect with audiences on a deeply personal level.
