Ivone Silva


Maria Ivone da Silva Nunes, better known as Ivone Silva, was a Portuguese actress. She became famous for her humorous work on television and in revues.

Early life

Silva was the daughter of José António da Silva and Ermelinda Rosa Nunes Dias, both of whom worked as tailors. She was born on 24 April 1936 in Paio Mendes, a village located in the municipality of Ferreira do Zêzere in Portugal's Santarém District. From a very early age she was exposed to the performing arts, as her father was also an actor, having participated prominently in several Portuguese films. Her sister also became an actress. Their father died when she was 10. Silva left school at 13 and began working as a seamstress and, later, in a shop.

Theatrical career

At the age of 16, Silva moved to Paris, where she worked for a decade, returning to Portugal in 1963. Following the advice of close friends, who insisted that the theatre was her natural vocation, she decided to stay in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, making her debut at the Teatro ABC in the play Vamos à Festa. Later, she appeared in Gente Nova em Biquini, considered her breakthrough work. As a consequence of this success she became the headline star in her next revue or variety show, called Chapéu Alta. She received the Press Prize for Best Light Theatre Actress in 1966 and, in the same year, the Estevão Amarante Prize, shared with José Viana. By 1973 she was well known and featured in an RTP television programme A Day with... Ivone Silva. Although she played other theatrical genres, it was in the humorous variety shows at the theatres in the Parque Mayer theatre district of Lisbon that she thrived. She performed until 1987.

Cinema and television

In cinema, Silva participated in several films including O Destino Marca a Hora, by Henrique Campos, and A Maluquinha de Arroios, by the same director. However, she had more impact on television, particularly in the 1981 comedy series Sabadabadu on RTP, written by Nuno Texeira, which won several awards, with Silva and Camilo de Oliveira becoming famous for playing two alcoholics, "Agostinho and Agostinha", who criticised politics and society at the time. A Feira, Ivone Faz Tudo and Ponto e Vírgula were also great successes. Silva became famous for several catchphrases, including "with a simple black dress I am never in a bind".

Death

In December 1986, Silva interrupted her work on a variety show at the Teatro Maria Vitória, due to health problems. Her last performance was also in a revue at the Teatro Laura Alves in April 1987, which she left before the end of the run to be admitted to a cancer hospital. She died of breast cancer on 20 November 1987.

Theatrical performances

YearPieceTheatreReferences
1963BikiniTeatro ABC
1963Chapéu AltoTeatro ABC
1963Vamos à Festa!Teatro ABC
1964É Regar e Pôr ao LuarTeatro ABC
1964Ai Venham Vê-lasTeatro ABC
1964Lábios PintadosTeatro ABC
1965Zona AzulTeatro ABC
1965Dá-lhe Agora!Teatro ABC
1966Tudo à Mostra!Teatro Maria Vitória
1966Mini-SaiasTeatro ABC
1967Pois, Pois...Teatro Variedades
1967Mulheres à VelaTeatro ABC
1967Sete ColinasTeatro ABC
1969Elas é Que SabemTeatro ABC
1969Ena, Já Fala!Teatro ABC
1970Alto Lá Com ElasTeatro ABC
1971Frangas na GrelhaTeatro ABC
1971A Senhora Minha TiaTeatro ABC
1971Ó Zé Aperta o CintoTeatro Maria Vitória
1972Pronto a DespirTeatro Maria Vitória
1972-1973Cá Vamos Pagando e Rindo!Teatro Maria Vitória
1973Ver, Ouvir e CalarTeatro Maria Vitória
1974Ver, Ouvir e FalarTeatro Maria Vitória
1974Uma no Cravo, Outra na DitaduraTeatro ABC
1975P'ra Trás Mija a BurraTeatro ABC
1975Família Até Certo Ponto
1976O Bombo da Festa
1977Ó da Guarda!Teatro ABC
1978Aldeia da Roupa Suja
1979Feliz Natal AvózinhaTeatro da Graça monologue
1979Que Grande Bronca!Teatro Laura Alves
1980AndorraTeatro Aberto
1981Não Há Nada Pr'a NinguémTeatro Maria Vitória
1982Sem Rei Nem RockTeatro Maria Vitória
1984Eu Desço na Próxima, e Você?
1985Não Batam Mais no ZézinhoTeatro Maria Vitória
1986Isto É Maria VitóriaTeatro Maria Vitória
1986Até Pinga no PãoTour
1987Cá Estão ElesTeatro Laura Alves

Filmography

Silva was in four films:
  • Estrada da Vida
  • A Maluquinha de Arroios
  • O Destino Marca a Hora
  • ''Auto-retrato, Ivone Silva: "A Faz Tudo"''