Can Antonio Fagundes prevent people from watching the play because he is late? Here's what experts say

Summary Antonio Fagundes is being sued for barring a late couple from entering his play, but experts say that if the rule is clear and previously informed, the refusal is legitimate.

Actor Antonio Fagundes and his wife, Alexandra Martins Fagundes , are being sued by a couple who were prevented from entering the play Dois de Nós late. The show was being shown at the Teatro Tuca , in São Paulo.

According to information from O Globo , the couple claimed that they arrived "a few seconds" late for the start of the play, and that they were barred from entering the audience in an "arbitrary and abusive" manner. They are asking for R$20,000 for moral damages and R$500 for material damages.

The lawsuit was filed in March with the Court of Justice of São Paulo (TJSP) . This is not the first time that the actor has been sued for his strict schedules for his shows. In September, he revealed in an interview with Roda Viva that he has already won several lawsuits in the same context.

The controversy raised a question: can an actor prevent spectators from entering a play if they arrive late? Experts interviewed by Terra say yes .

"Some theaters even adopt alternatives to mitigate this impact, such as allowing entry only during intervals, relocating the audience after certain scenes or offering partial refunds in specific situations," explains Giovanna Araújo , a lawyer specializing in Consumer Law.

Although there is no article in the Consumer Protection Code (CDC) that deals with delays in shows, it is necessary for the consumer to be fully informed about all the conditions of the purchase.

On the website available for purchasing tickets during the period in which the play was on, there is the following message: "Set your watch to the official time in Brasília. Our show starts strictly on time and entry is not permitted after the start , with no exchange of tickets and/or refunds."

"The central principle here is the duty to provide information. If the rule on delays is clear, visible and presented before the purchase is finalized - as is usually the case on platforms such as Ingresso Rápido or Sympla - then the company or artist is not violating the CDC. In this case, there is no failure to provide a service or duty to compensate", says Glaucia Uliana , general director of Arnone Advogados Associados.

According to the lawyer, the only scenario that could constitute a violation of the CDC would be abuse or embarrassment at the time of refusal. If the person were mistreated or exposed to a humiliating situation, for example.

Specialist Giovanna Araújo also emphasizes that the information must be clear to the consumer. "If it has not been provided in advance, the supplier - in this case, the show's production - may be held liable. The consumer, in turn, can request rescheduling, a proportional refund or even compensation for material damages," she states.

"Ultimately, it's about balancing two legitimate rights: the consumer's right to be informed in a transparent manner, and the supplier's right to ensure the show runs smoothly and preserve the artistic experience for the audience who arrived on time, without interruptions," he concludes.