The Italian playwright Dario Fo has had his plays translated into 30 languages and staged in more than 40 countries from Bulgaria to South Korea. Maybe his most famous play, The Accidental Death of An … [Read more...] about Dario Fo – still relevant in today’s London
theatre
Ferruccio Soleri – After 60 years and 2,283 performances, Italy’s Arlecchino bows out
On 13 May, a very important actor took his final bow. Goldoni’s Harlequin, servant to two masters, known in Italy as simply Arlecchino, has seen Ferruccio Soleri in the leading role since 1959. Now, … [Read more...] about Ferruccio Soleri – After 60 years and 2,283 performances, Italy’s Arlecchino bows out
Nobel Prize winner Dario Fo dies in Milan at 90
The Nobel Prize winning writer, actor, painter, composer and director died this morning in Milan at the age of 90. He was born on 24 March 1926 in San Giano, a small town on Lago Maggiore in Lombardy … [Read more...] about Nobel Prize winner Dario Fo dies in Milan at 90
David Ashley and the secrets of a pantomime dame
I am a three-bun wig, brown-booted, very large, maternal bosom sort of a gal. David Ashley is talking about his pantomime alter ego which has inhabited him over the Christmas period for 12 … [Read more...] about David Ashley and the secrets of a pantomime dame
Meryl Streep to play Maria Callas in HBO’s film of McNally’s Master Class
Meryl Streep will play Maria Callas in a filmed version of Terrence McNally’s play Master Class. New York Post's Page Six reported that HBO would start filming in January of 2015. Mike Nichols - … [Read more...] about Meryl Streep to play Maria Callas in HBO’s film of McNally’s Master Class
Milan celebrates one of its most-loved actresses as she turns 80
Giulia Lazzarini, one of Giorgio Strehler's favourite actress, and for decades a constant presence on the stage of Milan's famed Piccolo Teatro, is 80 and, rightly, it was at the Piccolo Teatro that … [Read more...] about Milan celebrates one of its most-loved actresses as she turns 80
Photos: Baryshnikov and Dafoe in Robert Wilson’s The Old Woman
Robert Wilson's new creation, The Old Woman, opens at the Manchester International Festival tonight. Mikhail Baryshnikov and Willem Dafoe star. The Independent's Sarah Crompton went to Spoleto where … [Read more...] about Photos: Baryshnikov and Dafoe in Robert Wilson’s The Old Woman
Portrait of Kevin Spacey as Richard III goes on show in London
A striking new portrait of Kevin Spacey as Richard III will be one of several new works by Jonathan Yeo to be included in a major display of the artist’s work at the National Portrait Gallery this … [Read more...] about Portrait of Kevin Spacey as Richard III goes on show in London
Franca Rame, actress, playwright and wife of Dario Fo, dies at 84
Franca Rame has died in Milan at 84. She was an Italian theatre actress with a talent for comedy, playwright and an outspoken political activist. She was married to Nobel laureate playwright Dario … [Read more...] about Franca Rame, actress, playwright and wife of Dario Fo, dies at 84
The Italian Greta Garbo is gone: Rossella Falk dies at 86
Rome, 10 November 1926 – Rome, 5 May 2013 One of the greatest Italian stage actresses has died in Rome at the age of 86. Rossella Falk was a giant among Italian actresses, with a slightly arrogant … [Read more...] about The Italian Greta Garbo is gone: Rossella Falk dies at 86
Anna Proclemer – powerful Italian stage actress – dies at 89
Anna Proclemer (Trento, 30 May 1923 – Rome, 25 April 2013) One of Italy's greatest actresses died this morning on the eve of her 90th birthday. Anna Proclemer was primarily a stage animal with … [Read more...] about Anna Proclemer – powerful Italian stage actress – dies at 89
Beppe Menegatti answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Directors’ Edition
Q&A When did you first go to the theatre? To see Rigoletto at the Teatro Comunale in Florence on 10 October 1939 for my tenth birthday, with Gino Bechi, Ferruccio Tagliavini, Lina Aimaro and … [Read more...] about Beppe Menegatti answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Directors’ Edition
Mariangela Melato: Milan, 19 September 1941 – Rome, 11 January 2013
Mariangela Melato was one of the finest actresses I have ever seen. Unfortunately, language restraints meant that her immense talent was largely unknown outside of Italy, but Melato was a rare … [Read more...] about Mariangela Melato: Milan, 19 September 1941 – Rome, 11 January 2013
Adolphe Appia at La Scala: a new publication by the Amici della Scala
The Amici della Scala (Friends of La Scala) was formed in 1978 to promote music, art and culture in Milan and the Lombardy region, though the La Scala opera house is the focus of their … [Read more...] about Adolphe Appia at La Scala: a new publication by the Amici della Scala
Leading actor leaps from the stage to confiscate a persistent cell phone
At Milan's prestigious Teatro Strehler yesterday afternoon, esteemed actor Gabriele Lavia was negotiating the tricky array of emotions set out by Pirandello in his play Tutto per bene. Then the cell … [Read more...] about Leading actor leaps from the stage to confiscate a persistent cell phone
Milan’s Teatro Franco Parenti celebrates its birthday with an orgy of Hamlets
One of the most respected Milanese theatres was born from an artistic collaboration between three pillars of Italian theatre: the director Franco Parenti, writer Giovanni Testori and up-and-coming … [Read more...] about Milan’s Teatro Franco Parenti celebrates its birthday with an orgy of Hamlets
Two Italian living legends together: Ferruccio Soleri, the greatest Arlecchino, and Carla Fracci, the greatest Giselle
Ferruccio Soleri (class of 1929) has played Arlecchino in Giorgio Strehler's legendary production of Goldoni's masterpiece Servant of Two Masters (Arlecchino servitore di due padroni) for Milan's … [Read more...] about Two Italian living legends together: Ferruccio Soleri, the greatest Arlecchino, and Carla Fracci, the greatest Giselle
Filippo Timi can be excellent, so he shouldn’t be anything less: Romeo and Juliet in Milan
What to think of Filippo Timi? After the extraordinary success of his Amleto² (Hamlet squared) comes Giuliett' e Romeo (a loose adaptation of Romeo and Juliet). There are just five characters: the … [Read more...] about Filippo Timi can be excellent, so he shouldn’t be anything less: Romeo and Juliet in Milan
More Ziegfeld folly! Can you still be a Follies girl at 105?
Of course you can! Doris Eaton Travis was the last surviving girl from the Ziegfeld Follies. She joined the company in 1918 at the age of 14, and in this picture with her younger self is the … [Read more...] about More Ziegfeld folly! Can you still be a Follies girl at 105?
Amleto² engulfed by the outsize personality of Filippo Timi
Filippo Timi is a strange theatre beast indeed. An actor of power and fascination who attacks his projects fearlessly, careering from comedy to tragedy, from extreme campness to rugged masculinity, … [Read more...] about Amleto² engulfed by the outsize personality of Filippo Timi
2,695 shows make this year’s Edinburgh Fringe the biggest ever. And the programme: 376 pages and weighs 605 grams!
A record number of shows will be staged at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe, brushing off fears that the clash with the London Olympics would harm the Festival. A 6% increase on last year’s … [Read more...] about 2,695 shows make this year’s Edinburgh Fringe the biggest ever. And the programme: 376 pages and weighs 605 grams!
John Malkovich’s World Theatre Day message
The 50th annual World Theatre Day, which is March 27, will see John Malkovich give the opening address which will make him the first American actor to do so. He will deliver this year's message at the … [Read more...] about John Malkovich’s World Theatre Day message
Barry Humphries on Dame Edna Everage’s first panto
Dame Edna Everage is starring in her first pantomime: Dick Whittington at the New Wimbledon Theatre. The Financial Times talked to her manager, 77 year-old Barry Humphries. On Melbourne in the … [Read more...] about Barry Humphries on Dame Edna Everage’s first panto
Taste of Honey playwright, Shelagh Delaney, dies at 71
Shelagh Delaney, best known for A Taste of Honey, has died at the age of 71. Delaney was 19 when A Taste of Honey, about the friendship between a young pregnant woman and a gay artist, premièred in … [Read more...] about Taste of Honey playwright, Shelagh Delaney, dies at 71
Tyne Daly to play Maria Callas in the West End
Tyne Daly will reprise her Broadway role in Terrence McNally's Master Class when it arrives in London's West End. The Cagney & Lacey star will play opera singer Maria Callas in the play at the … [Read more...] about Tyne Daly to play Maria Callas in the West End
Thomas Hardy Players actress Norrie Woodhall dies at 105
The last surviving member of a Dorchester theatre group set up by Thomas Hardy has died at the age of 105. Norrie Woodhall was among a handful of Dorset actors who performed plays based on the … [Read more...] about Thomas Hardy Players actress Norrie Woodhall dies at 105
Pippo Delbono, Marie-Agnès Gillot and Bobò – the étoile in the asylum
In just under two hours Pippo Delbono takes his audience on a rollercoaster ride from Dante to Pasolini, from a solo violin to a Verdi chorus, from contemporary dance to pointe shoes, from the … [Read more...] about Pippo Delbono, Marie-Agnès Gillot and Bobò – the étoile in the asylum
Marie-Agnès Gillot in Milan for Pippo Delbono’s “After The Battle”
This is how The New York Times introduced Delbono to its readership in an interview last year: Part theater, part dance, part carnival, part music, the works of Pippo Delbono are hard to … [Read more...] about Marie-Agnès Gillot in Milan for Pippo Delbono’s “After The Battle”
Nathan Lane’s worst audition
When I was in tech rehearsals for “Merlin” [in 1983], I was asked to meet the great filmmaker Milos Forman, who was directing the film of “Amadeus.” I went to his apartment to discuss the role of … [Read more...] about Nathan Lane’s worst audition
Harold Pinter has London theatre named after him
London's Comedy Theatre is to be renamed next month after Harold Pinter, the playwright, director and actor who died in 2008. Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) said it was "a fitting tribute to a man who … [Read more...] about Harold Pinter has London theatre named after him
