EdFringe Talk: Voltei

Posted in *EdFestivals 2026, *Written Interviews by

“My writing is raw because of the documentary tone but also realised that I contrast it with comedy and a lot of colloquial storytelling.”

WHO: Joana Raio

WHAT: “Voltei, a true story, begins by telling us what it takes for young people to leave their home country, what those big changes are, and the challenges they face. Voltei takes us back to England in 2006, when smartphones weren’t yet a thing and YouTube had just become part of our lives. It explores the various social and cultural differences between Portugal and the UK, through various first-hand emigrant stories and through the real impact of Brexit on the decision made by so many to return to their home country. Voltei is interdisciplinary and combines theatre with stand-up comedy.”

WHERE: Annexe at theSpace @ Symposium Hall (Venue 43) 

WHEN: 09:45 (65 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No, I brought an interdisciplinary show called: a bridge by a cliff in 2017 which was a fantastic failure! It was more of a show for a gallery not a stage or maybe not the right venue! This time I feel Voltei at theSpace Uk is the right fit, it’s funny, political and heartwarming for anyone who has ever left home and then returned. As an emerging writer this has been a goal of mine, to bring Voltei, to have reviewers write about my show which is something we do not have in Portugal. Voltei has won an award but truly how relevant is it? Where do I stand?

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2025 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I’ ve written a second show after Voltei, which was a challenge for me: to write dialogue, to work more in collaboration. I’ve learnt about my practice, understood more about my identity as a writer, I feel! I’ve learnt that my work won’t always please everyone and my second show is definitely more specific in terms of target audience. My writing is raw because of the documentary tone but also realised that I contrast it with comedy and a lot of colloquial storytelling.

Tell us about your show.

Voltei is about my life as an emigrant in the UK and my return to Portugal after 12 years. It’s about growing up in the UK, beginning to think and dream in English and then unexpected challenges of speaking again my mother tongue. But not only, as I’ve come to realise how stark the differences between UK and Portugal are, how much that affected my identity and how family is the reason why most emigrants move back home. Tropodora was founded when I graduated from Drama school in 2010 but I only reactivated in 2024 to create Break Up my second show. This was also when I met Ana Cardoso, my producer and begin building my crew.

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

I Almost Died For This?!

I met Kristin (yet to see her show) and her show is raw, honest and auto-biographical, I have a feeling we speak the same language!

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