ITALIAN DIRECTORS OF SHAKESPEARE: PRODUCTION HISTORY, 1945-1983 (STAGING, MATTATORI, TEATRI STABILI).
Item
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Title
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ITALIAN DIRECTORS OF SHAKESPEARE: PRODUCTION HISTORY, 1945-1983 (STAGING, MATTATORI, TEATRI STABILI).
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Identifier
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AAI8629722
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identifier
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8629722
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Creator
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ORANI, AVIV.
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Contributor
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Margaret M. Knapp
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Date
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1986
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Theater
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Abstract
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The emergence of the theatre of the director in Italy is closely associated with the growing popularity of Shakespearean dramaturgy since the Second World War. As in the nineteenth century, the postwar Italians rarely regarded Shakespeare as a classical figure but, rather, as their contemporary. Often utilizing the plays to provoke politically motivated controversy, their productions explored social issues that disturbed the country.;The purpose of my dissertation is to examine the changing trends in staging Shakespeare in Italy after the Second World War and to discover the qualities which rendered his work pertinent to that society. Particular emphasis is placed on the unique ways Italian directors found to forge the bond between Shakespeare and the modern spectator.;A number of Italian directors were interviewed and observed as they worked on their productions. Numerous theatres, actors, and designers were contacted to obtain the additional information necessary to view the productions in a larger perspective. Based on this primary source material combined with newspaper reviews and other critical studies the dissertation attempts to identify the predominant trends in postwar Shakespearean theatre in Italy.;Following a brief historical background the dissertation traces the work of major directors of Shakespeare since 1945. An attempt was made to select productions which reflect a variety of styles, from traditional to avant-garde aesthetics. Shakespearean dramaturgy played an important role in the repertory of the newly established teatri stabili (resident theatre companies). The impact of the 1968 student movement is observed in the work of the avant-garde directors, such as Aldo Trionfo, Luca Ronconi and Carmelo Bene, who employed Shakespeare's plays to voice their personal philosophies. An entire chapter is devoted to Giorgio Strehler whose work spans and epitomizes the major developments of staging Shakespeare in Italy. Included is also an analysis of some statistical data on the performance record of Shakespeare's plays produced since 1945. Based on all of these findings my dissertation summarizes, documents and draws appropriate conclusions on the production history of Shakespeare in postwar Italy, and finds him second only to Pirandello as the most popular playwright in the country. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.).
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
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Program
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Theatre
