Based on the 1843 short-story by Edgar Allan Poe,The Tell-Tale Heart opens on November 21 at The Sergio Porto Cultural Space in Rio de Janeiro, running through December 20,1997.

The Tell-Tale Heart, in which a maniacal murderer is subconsciously haunted into confessing his guilt, was adapted and is directed by Cezar Augusto, the Brazilian actor and dramatist who brought to stage the famous dramas Tristan and Isolt and Melodrama last year.

The Play, which has all its scenes performed in a cage, revolves around the relationship between a young nurse and his patient, a dying old man. Mentally disturbed, the nurse begins to feel a progressive hatred for the morbid patient, and convinces himself that the best alternative is to kill him.

Edgar Allan Poe, famous as a poet and critic, is probably best known as the first master of the short-story form, especially involving tales of the mysterious and macabre. His poems are remarkable for their flawless literary construction and for their haunting themes and meters.

To emphasize Poe's Gothic style, the production has special effects like the use of fire and the sounds of murder and dismemberment. Playing the leading roles are Marcelo Olinto, Cezar Augusto and Raquel Rocha. Tickets cost R$15,00. Performances on Thu and Fri - 9PM; Sat - 9PM,11PM; Sun - 8PM. Information call 021 266 0896 at The Sergio Porto Cultural Space - Rio de Janeiro.

-- By Nertutila Achao

Brazil Correspondent