I recently discovered Realejo wandering around the second floor of Ler Devagar, one of Lisbon’s most famous bookstores in the LX Factory. Standing alone next to a sign that said “Experience Lisbon in 2 Minutes Puppet Show” was William Barreto, who encouraged me to sit down on a stool directly across from him, put on a pair of headphones, and get ready for the show. I quickly found myself peering through a hole at the end of a tiny wooden version of the iconic Tram 28 preparing for a private performance that only I could see, like a secret waiting to be uncovered. Inside that box, I was treated to a puppet show where a rotating cast of puppets took the tram through the ups and downs of the city. There was love. There was drama. Even Fernando Pessoa showed up. Less than three minutes later, my ride on Tram 28 was over. This is Realejo: Tiny Box Theater, and while it may be small in scale, it leaves a lasting impression.
Founded in 2017 by Brazilian artist William Barreto and educator Adriana Daltoé, Realejo began as a creative project based around miniature storytelling. William, who previously worked on a grand scale as a sculptor for Rio de Janeiro’s carnival floats, took an unexpected turn toward the much smaller scale after discovering Lambe-Lambe theater, which is a solo-viewer form of puppet theater that originated in Bahia, Brazil.
Adriana Daltoé is an educator and dramaturg with a postgraduate degree in Educational Management and Brazilian History. Her experience in childhood education and public cultural programming helps shape Realejo’s performances and outreach into something accessible, heartfelt, and meaningful.
Encouraged by fellow artist Sérgio Biff, William and Adriana built their first performance box, inspired by the poetry of Fernando Pessoa.
When the couple relocated to Lisbon in 2018, they brought that same box with them and debuted it as Janelas, a poetic and contemplative piece set in a lonely mansion, rich in metaphor and movement.
Together, William and Adriana live by the mission of bringing “pinches of poetry in seconds.” Their work invites viewers to pause, peer inside, and rediscover wonder one performance at a time.
Since then, Realejo has developed into a traveling theater of six unique boxes, each containing a short, hand-crafted puppet performance that lasts for less than three minutes. These shows are intricate and intimate performances that are designed for only one or two spectators at a time. They draw on the long tradition of peep shows, magic lanterns, and early cinematic devices while embracing the expressive potential of puppetry and poetic narratives. Every element of the performance including the scenery and the soundtrack is created by William and Adriana themselves.
At its core, Realejo is about slowing down, even for a moment, and entering a world where a puppet’s tiny gesture can connect you to the history and beauty of an entire culture.
Background and Production: A Conversation with the Artists
1. What is Realejo Artes, and how did it start?
Realejo Artes began in Brazil in 2017 as the joint effort of visual artist William Barreto and his wife, childhood educator Adriana Daltoé. William, who comes from a background in large-scale sculpture and set design, wanted to pursue art independently when the couple moved to Portugal. After discovering Lambe-Lambe theater, he and Adriana created their first box theater together, starting with a piece inspired by Fernando Pessoa. They moved to Lisbon in 2018 and began performing regularly at Ler Devagar, where William remains an artist-in-residence.
2. What inspires the shows you create?
Each performance is inspired by a blend of visuals, literature, and emotion. The first piece, Janelas, was drawn from a Pessoa poem. Others pay tribute to iconic artists and places, such as Luzes (inspired by Van Gogh) and Eléctrico 28 (a love letter to Lisbon’s famous tram). The duo is especially drawn to themes of introspection, everyday magic, and the poetry found in small moments.
3. Do you build everything yourselves?
Yes. William is responsible for the artistic conception, design, sculpting, and set-building, while Adriana handles the research, writing, public relations, and manipulation of the puppets. Their process is deeply collaborative, and they focus on blending art and pedagogy into each creation.
4. Where and when do you perform?
Realejo performs weekly at Ler Devagar in Lisbon’s LX Factory. In addition to their residency, they travel across Portugal and internationally, participating in festivals such as Festival Marionetas na Cidade (Alcobaça), Festival Imaginário (Sintra), and Theatroscope in Bulgaria. The format is adaptable to fairs, public squares, schools, libraries, and private events.
5. What are your most recent or upcoming productions?
Realejo currently performs six shows: Janelas, Luzes, Voo Poético, Eléctrico 28, A Viagem, and O Castelo. Their latest piece, O Castelo, is a whimsical medieval tale of a knight and a dragon that takes an unexpected twist. They are also preparing to expand their educational programming and continue to bring Teatro de Caixa to new audiences across Portugal.
Performances and Educational Outreach
Realejo’s performances are intimate and transportive. Each show lasts just two to three minutes but creates a self-contained universe of emotion and storytelling. The boxes are entirely analog. There are no screens or projections. Realejo only relies on the puppets, sets, lighting, and sound to convey their narratives.
In addition to public and private performances, Realejo is deeply invested in education. They offer workshops designed for both children and adults. In their Box Theater Workshops, participants create their own working Teatro de Caixa from start to finish and explore the mechanics of puppetry, storytelling, and scenic design. There are also technical workshops on airbrush painting, sculpture, and miniature set construction. Realejo frequently works with schools and cultural institutions and use theater as a tool for creative exploration and collaborative learning.
Contact Information
For performances, workshops, or collaborations, you can reach out to Realejo at:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +351 911 998 822
Facebook: facebook.com/realejoartes
Instagram: instagram.com/realejoartes
You can catch Realejo performances at Ler Devagar weekly on the second floor next to Jazz Messengers record shop. Remember: sometimes the smallest stage holds the biggest stories.
