Rattrap, Gabriel Abrantes

“Ratzo: I’m here to talk to you. We don’t have much time. Just a few minutes, my love, my darling, my little cornucopia, my kumquat. So make the most of these minutes. First of all, I want this to be safe for you, my love. Is there anything that offends you? Is there anything I should avoid mentioning? I want this to be safe. A safe space. I want you to feel comfortable. Do conversations about sex offend you? Or perhaps there’s a word I shouldn’t say? Are there any words that bother you, my love? Can I say any word? Any delicious word — even the most delicious words? The unspeakable delight?”

In Rattrap (2025), artist Gabriel Abrantes presents an interactive performance that invites the audience to share, in private and in an intimate setting, confidences with Ratzo, an animated character in the form of a mouse. Between provocation and sensuality, Ratzo moves through a performative chaos that oscillates between nihilism, militant enthusiasm and an almost childish mischief. The character acts as a sort of machine for mockery, but also for lament, using irony and surreal humour to provoke, ridicule and critically comment on the present.

Access to each session, lasting between 7 and 10 minutes, is subject to the purchase of a single ticket costing €2.50. The ticket grants entry to individuals or pre-booked groups of up to three people. Tickets are available online and at the Batalha ticket office from 29 April.

Performance dates
May: 22, 24, 29 and 31
June: 12, 14, 19, 21, 26 and 27
July: 5