Beth Zalcman embodies historical women in theater: 'Talking about the feminine soul'

Beth Zalcman (64) continues her performance with Ânima , a play that tells the story of six female personalities who changed the course of history, in São Paulo until June 21. In the theater, the actress embodies and delves into the stories of Joan of Arc , Hypatia of Alexandria , Marguerite Porete , Helena Blavatsky , Harriet Tubman and Simone Weil while weaving the thread of destiny as an old woman. In an interview with CARAS Brasil , Beth shares the responsibility of bringing these historical women to life: "Talking about the feminine soul" , she declares.

Body and spirit on stage

With Ânima , Beth Zalcman faces one of the most symbolic challenges of her career: to portray, in one body and in the same show, six historical female figures who left their mark on the world with courage, spirituality and awareness. The show, with an original text by Lúcia Helena Galvão (61) and directed by Luiz Antônio Rocha (57), weaves together the lives and voices of Joan of Arc, Hypatia of Alexandria, Marguerite Porete, Helena Blavatsky, Harriet Tubman and Simone Weil — all under the poetic mediation of a helmsman character, the Weaver, who intertwines time, space and memory.

By embodying these women, Beth delves into the deep layers of existence, going beyond mere characterization. "To portray these six women from such different times, with such different tasks and activities... to be able to touch these experiences through my body, my voice, my sensitivity... that is mystical," she shares. The actress recognizes that, on stage, she is not only dramatizing biographies, but also serving as a channel for the strength of these female figures. "The play speaks of the feminine soul. And everything that goes beyond an existence brings something mystical, divine. Ânima is inspired by a philosopher's phrase: 'From the beginning of time, every woman has been related to the first bright star that brought light to the deep blue sky."

She recalls that many of the characters were unknown to the general public — and some, not even to her. But each discovery brought a unique way of acting. "These women are full of strength, of an awareness of their role in the world. And this transcends time. We look at these stories today and realize that they still have a purpose. They touch us with courage, discernment, love for humanity."

Stage without limits

In the universe of Ânima , theater is presented as an "ocean of possibilities" . For Beth, this definition reflects the essence of her craft. "Theater allows me to be in all times and spaces at the same time: present, past and future" , she says. Even with the insertion of technological elements in the staging — such as the symbolic use of a drone to bring a letter written by an enslaved woman to the scene —, the actress emphasizes that the technique does not change the actor's craft. "Technology does not change the way I act. It is up to me to bring everything to the stage, from all times, from all spaces. Bringing technology does not change the actor. I think theater can give a new meaning to technology " .

The idea for the drone, in fact, was born from a stage provocation: "It was in the middle of a controversy, a question about a scene, and the idea of ​​the letter brought by the drone came up. A warning perhaps that technology will not change the world — it is us."

Actress or channel?

It is with respect and reverence that Beth dedicates herself to the mission of bringing these six women to life. "I step aside, because they are the ones who have to speak. I wouldn't have the depth and experience that they have had in life to be able to give my opinion on the text or the interpretation. What I do and can do is truly dedicate myself to interpreting them and doing it with dignity."

Each performance, according to her, touches her differently. "Some of them are closer to how I am that day. They all change me." It was Blavatsky who taught her the value of surrender. From Marguerite Porete, she learned the meaning of love: "To love is to serve," she reflects. Joan of Arc impresses her with her early courage; Harriet Tubman, with her heroic determination; Hypatia, with the wisdom that challenged a man's world. "Impressive women, with clarity of purpose. We seek that so much in life... perhaps my purpose in the theater is exactly that: to bring the voice of these women."

The Weaver who sews senses

In the show, Beth also plays the Weaver , a figure who metaphorizes the link between all eras and speeches. "She brings the essence of the feminine soul of the 21st century" , she describes. Like this character, Beth points to a greater meaning: "We are all that first star that brought light to the deep blue sky. Not only women, but every human being who puts their soul on tiptoe to touch a sky of possibilities seeking the idea of ​​good for all".

The Weaver's metaphor echoes the definition that philosopher Lúcia Helena Galvão gives of "butterfly conversation" : that moment when something internal awakens with a phrase, an image, a gesture. "Ânima brings this conversation. People are searching for their own voice of silence, as Blavatsky says. And art helps them find it."

Presence, truth, continuity

For Beth, the most important thing in any medium — be it theater, film or television — is surrender. "It doesn't matter the medium. The actor has to be available for the character. Undressing and dressing the other." She will soon debut as Paul 's mother in Paul, The Apostle , and welcomes the chance to experience dramatic characters that challenge her to step outside of the everyday. "Biblical characters, for example, bring enormous truth. Playing a mother is always about playing the truth."

Even with the return to audiovisual, the theater continues to be his home — and Ânima , his compass. "Not even repetition has this connotation of you simply repeating. It's you giving life to that character once again, as if it were the first time" , he declares. The recognition of the public only reinforces the strength of the project. "Always a full house, it's a joy, to be in the theater like this, delivering these messages" .

"We are keeping an eye on new characters and new plots. You will know soon. But Ânima still has a long life. And Blavatsky too" , he concludes, quoting Helena Blavatsky, The Voice of the Silence .