The reopening "is absolutely a landmark moment in the history of this institution," said Pedro Penim in a recent interview with the Lusa news agency, regarding the renovation of the century-old building in the heart of Lisbon, which has housed the national theatre since 1846.

The Teatro Nacional D. Maria II (TNDMII) has been closed since 2023 for requalification works under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), but a program, entitled "National Odyssey," was created to present shows and other activities "in more than 100 municipalities."

“The time has finally come to open the doors here at the Rossio building and present our program, which is very much imbued with this time we have been away,” added the theatre’s artistic director.

Until 20 September, the reopening program includes several free admission initiatives, subject to ticket collection, including the premiere of Shakespeare's "Macbeth," with a cast that includes Bárbara Branco, Hugo Van Der Ding, and José Raposo.

Pedro Penim chose the same Shakespearean tragedy for the reopening that was on stage on 2 December 1964, when a fire devastated the theatre almost completely.

A videomapping show and a performance by DJs Beatbombers, Marfox, and Zengxrl are also scheduled for 18 September. On 19 September, there will be visits to the theatre, the launch of the book "Macbeth," and on 20 September, the show "Chorus of Rebirth" will take place in various locations throughout the building.

On the eve of the reopening of the National Theatre, the workers' committee warned of the "physical and psychological exhaustion" of the staff and "improvised working conditions," citing a lack of furniture and problems such as blocked elevators and freight elevators, failures in the fire detection system, and the absence of air conditioning.

In a statement, the administration of the national theatre guaranteed that the reopening to the public will take place with the technical and safety conditions required by law and that the workers' complaint concerns the "Prologue" program, carried out in June and July, when the building was still "in the phase of entering into operation, testing and adjusting systems and equipment."

"The situations identified were immediately flagged and monitored by the teams responsible for the work, inspection and maintenance, and have been resolved," said the board of directors.

According to the TNDMII administration, the requalification of the building represented an investment of €15.1 million from the PRR, which allowed for a "profound improvement in the safety, accessibility, comfort and functionality" of the theatre.