From 20 to 27 June (at 9.30 pm), an open-air ‘theatre week’ will take place, featuring a different show every evening
“He was a true jester, an artist who knew how to touch people’s hearts with his music and poetry.” With these words, the Gruppo Amici del Teatro di Castelnuovo d’Elsa pays tribute to David Riondino as it presents the Castelnuovo d’Elsa Theatre Festival, which will take place from 20 to 27 June in the picturesque natural setting of Piazza Santa Barbara. A theatre programme to be enjoyed al fresco, “under the stars”, featuring a different show every evening: to relax, have fun and even reflect.
The programme for the event, now in its 37th edition, was unveiled last night in Piazza Santa Barbara in the presence of the Councillor for Culture, Franco Spina, Councillor Federico Nunziata and the artistic director of the GAT, Nicola Pannocchi.
There are eight shows on the programme (running until Saturday 27 June), ranging from classic comedies of mistaken identity to popular theatre, from ‘little stories’ set in the provinces to ‘work-in-progress’ performances—unfinished, face-to-face with the audience—with productions exploring current themes suitable for all: from the romantic torments of a middle-aged man to family dynamics captured in all their complexity, enriched by plot twists, slightly eccentric characters and absurd situations; without, however, neglecting experimental theatre, which invites the audience to reflect on our past, bringing to light even painful episodes from the news.
The programme kicks off on Saturday 20th with Molière’s *The Miser*, a tale of greed and love performed by the actors of the Gat theatre company who, as artistic director Nicola Pannocchi notes, “have worked hard to bring out the best in each character”; this is followed on Sunday 21st by a three-act comedy written by Federico Franco: ‘Conoscerebbe scopo matrimonio’ is the title of the play, set in a modest mountain guesthouse, where the protagonist (Orlando, a manager by profession) usually spends his weekends, mourning a girlfriend who tragically passed away many years earlier. Monday 22 June brings an unmissable event: “Loro” or “When we were the immigrants”. The story of Salvatore, who migrated to the Americas in the 1920s, and that of Abdul, who emigrated to Italy in 2000, weaving two parallel narratives, united by a desire to look to the future yet simultaneously troubled by the impact of the “fear of the other” (a “Piccolo Collettivo” production).
On Tuesday 23 June, “Fino a ritornare sulle labbra” is on the programme – the story of Giorgio Ambrosoli, who was murdered in 1978 by a hitman hired by Michele Sindona. A sensory journey in which the text comes to life through the voice of the author, Leonardo Torrini. On Wednesday 24 June, a brilliant two-act comedy: “Cercasi disperatamente anima gemella”, the story of an inheritance contingent upon a rather problematic marriage, whilst on Thursday 25 June, two retired men will star in “La solita minestrina”, a profound, sincere, yet at times hilarious comedy about the loneliness of the elderly. On Friday 26 June, In Onda Teatro presents “Metamorfosi”, anachronisms on Ovid’s myths, stories that take shape through our modern-day perspective, infused with everyday life; the programme concludes with “De Bergerac”, a contemporary reinterpretation of Rostand’s classic, adapted by playwright Michele Santeramo and directed by Chiara Riondino.
“We are proud,” say Mayor Francesca Giannì and the Councillor for Culture, Franco Spina, “that the charming village of Castelnovo has established itself as one of our most successful hubs for theatrical culture, thanks to the work carried out locally by organisations such as GAT. We are delighted to continue on this path, born of hope, which has been able to harness the power and educational value of theatre across generations. Because theatre is a catalyst for dialogue, for communication and participation; it opens minds and fosters culture, democracy and beauty.”
Admission to performances: €12; season ticket for eight performances: €70. Bookings via the website: www.gatteatro.net. For information: +39 3926090772
