We chatted to Leandro about Et Al Companhia de Teatro’s ‘Introduction to My Life’, playing as part of the Camden Fringe Festival at the Rosemary Branch Theatre on the 12th August.
What can you tell us about the show?
Introduction to My Life is based on an autobiographical text by Philip Ridley, in which he reflects on key moments from his childhood, adolescence and early adulthood. From that material, playwright Miguel Graça created a new stage adaptation that preserves the essence of Ridley’s writing: raw, poetic and deeply human. It’s a show about growing up, memory, identity and imagination, but also about our need to tell stories in order to make sense of our lives.
What does it feel like to be performing Introduction to My Life as part of the Camden Fringe?
It means a great deal to me. I lived in London throughout 2024, and it was during that time that I rediscovered Philip Ridley’s work. In many ways, this project began to take shape while I was there. To return to London now, this time with a production inspired by his writing, feels incredibly meaningful. Camden Fringe is also known for championing bold, independent theatre, so it feels like the perfect home for this show.
How did you become involved with the production?
It all started with my desire to stage Vincent River, another play by Philip Ridley. When I returned to Portugal, I spoke to the director Mariana Guerreiro about the idea, but we soon realised it would require a much longer development process. I then went back to a collection of Ridley’s plays that I’d brought with me and rediscovered the autobiographical introduction that eventually became the basis for this production. I shared it with playwright Miguel Graça, who immediately connected with Ridley’s writing and decided to adapt it for the stage. From there, we began building the project together.
How has it been putting the show together?
It’s been an intense but incredibly rewarding process. Performing a solo show demands a huge amount of concentration and commitment because you’re alone on stage for the entire performance. We rehearsed every morning with director Mariana Guerreiro, and I would continue working on the piece by myself in the afternoons. There were plenty of moments of doubt, exhaustion and discovery, but also a strong sense of trust in what we were creating. Gradually, we found the rhythm, the breath and the confidence needed to carry the story from beginning to end.
What are you most looking forward to about presenting the show to audiences in London?
More than anything, I’m excited to share the show with London audiences in a city where Philip Ridley lives and where his work has such an important place in contemporary theatre. I hope people connect with the story because, although it’s rooted in one writer’s life, it speaks about experiences that are universal: growing up, dreaming, facing your fears, and realising that the stories we tell ultimately shape who we are. On a personal level, it’s also very special to return to London as an actor after spending a year living there. In many ways, it feels like bringing this journey full circle.
To book tickets for the show visit: https://camdenfringe.com/events/introduction-to-my-life/