Abstract Documentary theatre is a genre in which real sources and events are used and edited to become the form of dramatic texts and performances. The personal experiences narrated in No Escape (2010),a documentary play by Mary Raftery, have shocked many people, due to the play’s multiple graphic descriptions of child abuse which took place in industrial schools and orphanages in Ireland. This article analyses how pain is presented in No Escape, by contrasting the language used, in their respective lines in the play, by authorities, victims, and representatives of the institutions. Pain, as a physical and psychological sensation, is a subject that still needs to be examined further in discussing the history of Ireland, to provide scholars and society with an opportunity to reflect upon this subject – and, perhaps, achieve healing.

Resumo Neste artigo, examino as diversas influências subjetivas envolvidas no processo de tradução para o palco, levando em consideração a minha própria tradução para o português do Brasil da peça By the Bog of Cats... de Marina Carr (1998) (tradução ainda não publicada). O que impulsiona esta discussão são as abordagens ir-, anti- e pós-racionais de teoria e prática da tradução, conforme sugeridas por Robinson em Who Translates? (2001). No caso desta discussão em particular, meu foco será o teatro, a encenação e a encenação da tradução. Ao invés de fornecer respostas, este artigo busca levantar questionamentos sobre as “vozes” ou “forças” envolvidas ao traduzir-se para o palco.

Abstract In this article, I examine the various subjective influences that are at stake when translating for the stage taking into consideration my own translation of Marina Carr’s By the Bog of Cats… (1998) into Brazilian Portuguese. What motivates this discussion is a focus on the ir-, anti-, post-rational nature of translation theory and practice, as put forth in Robinson’s Who Translates? (2001), but with specific attention paid to theatre, acting and re-enacting. Rather than providing answers, this article intends to raise questions with regard to the “voices” or “forces” that are at stake when translating for the stage.