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Dario Fo – still relevant in today’s London

23 April 2023 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Trumpets and Raspberries

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

Ferruccio Soleri – After 60 years and 2,283 performances, Italy’s Arlecchino bows out

9 June 2018 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

Ferruccio Soleri, the last Arlecchino, May 2018   05

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

13 October 2016 by Gramilano 4 Comments

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

29 December 2015 by Gramilano 3 Comments

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

18 June 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

2 April 2014 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

4 July 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

29 May 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

29 May 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

5 May 2013 by Gramilano 1 Comment

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

25 April 2013 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

3 February 2013 by Gramilano 2 Comments

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

12 January 2013 by Gramilano 2 Comments

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

25 November 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

19 November 2012 by Gramilano 7 Comments

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

18 September 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

13 September 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

21 July 2012 by Gramilano 2 Comments

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?

14 July 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

14 July 2012 by Gramilano 1 Comment

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!

1 June 2012 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

10 March 2012 by Gramilano 8 Comments

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

10 December 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

21 November 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

4 November 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

26 October 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

22 October 2011 by Gramilano 3 Comments

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”

14 October 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

18 September 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

8 September 2011 by Gramilano Leave a Comment

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

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GRAHAM SPICER

Writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name ‘Gramilano’) about dance, opera, music and photography for people who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like. I was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. My scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times. I write the ‘Danza in Italia’ column for Dancing Times magazine.

You can find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, or follow my Facebook page.

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