After an incident at a soccer stadium, where fans shouted “ape” at a black player, actor and playwright Clayton Nascimento decided to delve into the origins of the racism he also faces in his daily life. 
Using nothing but his own body and lipstick, Nascimento brings to the stage the history of Brazil, from the Portuguese court sentences during slavery to the present day, where police executions of black people go unpunished. This moving, award-winning monologue guides the audience through this story of prejudice, exclusion and violence. 
Macacos heartbreakingly gives voice to the mothers who mourn their arrested and murdered daughters and sons. It also establishes a direct connection with the audience by reflecting on the slavery and human trafficking that made the Netherlands rich. From beginning to end, this play shows that art has the power to inspire social change. 

Clayton Nascimento

Brasil