In Brazil, theatre censorship was instituted in the 19th century with the foundation of the Conservatório Dramático Brasileiro [Brazilian Drama Conservatory]. Until the 1960s, censorship of public entertainment was a responsibility of the states, was conducted through ostensive legislation and operated in the moral sphere as "guardian" of the society. With the 1964 military coup, censorship went through a process of change of signification which consolidated the centralization of the agency in Brasilia and the practice of political censorship. To the role of maintainer of ethical principles and moral values, reasons alleged for the creation of the Serviço de Censura de Diversões Públicas [Censorship of Public Entertainment Service] in the decade of 1940, it was added the preoccupation with the maintenance of political order and national security, justifications incorporated in the reorganization of censorship in the 1960, 1970 and 1980.
theater censorship; prohibited plays; military dictatorship.