Director Deflorian Adapts Nobel Laureate Han Kang’s Novel for Italian Stage

Italian stage director Daria Deflorian is bringing a new theatrical adaptation of Nobel Prize winner Han Kang’s work to audiences in Milan and Rome. The production, titled “Che dolore terribile è l’amore” (What a Terrible Pain Love Is), follows its initial premiere in Bologna.

Key Production Details

• Theatrical adaptation: The play is based on the literary work of South Korean author Han Kang, who was recently awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.
• Touring schedule: Following its debut in Bologna, the production is scheduled for performances in major Italian cities, including Milan and Rome.
• Artistic approach: Critics and producers describe the adaptation as poetic, essential, and intense in its exploration of the source material.
• Central themes: The production focuses on the complex and often painful nature of love as depicted in Han Kang’s writing.

Bringing Han Kang to the Stage

The production marks a significant crossover between contemporary South Korean literature and the Italian theatrical scene. Han Kang, known for her lyrical and often harrowing prose, has gained international acclaim. Deflorian’s adaptation seeks to translate the author’s dense, emotional narrative style into a physical performance.

The play has been characterized by those involved as a “disturbing” yet compelling exploration of emotional depth. By focusing on the essential elements of Han Kang’s text, the production aims to strip away excess to reveal the core of the author’s narrative voice.

The tour continues through Italy’s cultural centers, providing audiences with an opportunity to experience Han Kang’s work through a different medium. The production remains faithful to the intensity found in the original novel, maintaining a focus on the author’s distinct literary voice.

Why it matters: This production highlights the growing global influence of Han Kang following her Nobel win. It demonstrates how international literary works are being actively adapted and reinterpreted by European directors to reach new audiences, bridging cultural gaps through the universal themes of human emotion and suffering.