Actor Luca Zingaretti is set to lead the theatrical production Marco Polo and the Invisible Cities, which will premiere in Ancona. The performance is scheduled for November 4 at the Teatro delle Muse.
A Literary Adaptation
The play is directed by Giuseppe di Pasquale and draws its narrative directly from the book by Italian author Italo Calvino. Calvino’s original text, published in 1972, serves as a meditation on culture, language, and the human experience through the imagined travels of the Venetian explorer. The production brings these abstract concepts to the stage, utilizing Zingaretti’s performance to interpret the dialogue between Polo and the emperor Kublai Khan.
The Teatro delle Muse will host the opening night, marking the start of the production’s run. The adaptation seeks to maintain the philosophical tone of the source material while incorporating theatrical staging techniques.
Production Details
The collaboration between Zingaretti and di Pasquale aims to translate Calvino’s complex prose into a live performance. The choice of Ancona for the debut places the production within the city’s established cultural venue, known for hosting significant theatrical works.
Why it matters: This production highlights the enduring influence of Italo Calvino’s literature in contemporary Italian theater. By adapting classic works for the stage, artists continue to engage audiences with complex themes regarding identity and travel, themes that remain relevant for global audiences interested in the intersection of classical literature and modern performance arts.
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