Only tomorrow left, and then even this second stage of the theatre project will be finished. Today, the dress rehearsal!

We try on everything, costumes, props, make-up and finally the closing health messages. They’re the latest addition to the show.

At the end of the performance Arlete, who plays the obstetrician, and Safina, who plays Amina, read a series of health messages to help pregnant women handle their pregnancy in the best way possible and safely.

The script highlights the importance of having an ultrasound scan to see how healthy the baby is, then we speak of hygiene, food, pre- and post-natal checks.

It’s no good. Today’s two rehearsals didn’t go well. And this is not good news.

We repeat the model of the other day, which worked, and after the rehearsal we show the Mozambicans the film, stopping on the errors, one by one.

When the lights go back on I ask “O que aconteceu?” (what’s happening?)

They forgot some lines and, after reading the script 100 times (it just isn’t possible), an actor fluffed his line, went into a panic and left the stage.

Everything was disconnected, disconnected, the comical timing completely lost.

I tell Adelino about a mistake and he answers me back. It’s the first time. He has a very important role, maybe even the most important. He’s the real doctor, he has to display a certain manner, a mix of scientific and human. It’s the key to everything!

“Enough! You always tell me the same things! I understand!!!”

I tell him I’m sorry, I run the film to its end, just a few minutes, then everyone gets up and goes away. It was a long day, long and complicated.

Maybe one of them is already thinking about the plane… about arriving in Mozambique.

Before going to bed I say goodnight to the group, one by one, and I hug Adelino (junior).

I say to them, and also to myself, come on… there’s still tomorrow left!