Reviews

(…) I must note that the fundamental value of Terzopoulos' direction lies in the fact that he continuously disassembles and recomposes Beckett's text: or, more exactly, he neutralizes the well-known readings of the same and leads them back to the truth of the text itself. And this is a precious, as well as rare, example of how a director can put himself at the service of an author, clarifying and enhancing his message; and, moreover, illuminating the "consistency" of that author in the world, in history and in the today's society.

Enrico Fiore, Controscena.net

It is clear that the Greek director, considered a Master of international directing, decided to challenge Beckett. With the curtain open, a square structure, in turn, divided into four squares, stands in the centre "of this place called stage." They are not hermetically juxtaposed, they let light through, forming a cross in the centre of this strange flat Kaaba.

Mario De Santis, Huffingtonpost.It

With two master's touches the which he is, the great Greek director Theodoros Terzopoulos, has come to fully encounter the human tragedy present in Waiting for Godot, has dug the abyss that we carry inside, and has scaled the peaks of our existence. The scene is absolutist and essential, full and omnivorous, it seems static but comes to life, it is alive and not vegetating, it moves, and it creates new ornaments and origami to fill and inhabit.

Tommaso Chimenti, Recensito.net

About Waiting for Godot

Our performance of Waiting for Godot will be set on "the ruins of the world," in a future more or less close to us, where all present and past wounds will be kept open. The same for the expectations… At this borderline of human existence, what are the minimum possible conditions for restarting life, a life that is worth living? In Waiting for Godot there are two possible answers and there we intend to support our work.

The first is the effort to communicate and coexist with the Other, the one who is before us, despite any obstacles, even when these seem formidable! The second is the effort to communicate with the Other inside us, this inscrutable and dark area of repressed desires and fears, forgotten senses and instincts, the region of the animal and the divine, where madness and dream, delirium and nightmare are born.

This is the journey we will try to make: towards the Other inside us and towards the Other outside, opposite, away from us. This is the journey we try to take every day. Waiting for what? The Redemption of life from the shackles of death? The meeting with the Human, the end of every humiliation of human by human? The Nothing or the Waiting, as Beckett derisively says?

But is there another way to envisage the emancipated human, without breaking down the walls that separate this "inside" from this "outside"?

Credits

By Samuel Beckett

Direction/Sets/Lighting/Costumes: Theodoros Terzopoulos

Cast:

Enzo Vetrano as Estragone

Stefano Randisi as Vladimiro

Paolo Musio as Pozzo

Giulio Germano Cervi as Lucky

Rocco Ancarola as Ragazzo

Copyright: Editions de Minuit

Italian Translation: Carlo Fruttero

Original Music: Panayiotis Velianitis

Dramaturgical Advice/Assistant Director: Michalis Traitsis

Acting Training: Terzopoulos Method Giulio Germano Cervi

Set Realization: ERT scenography studio

Head of Scenography Studio/Carpenter: Gioacchino Gramolini

Carpenters: Davide Lago, Sergio Puzzo, Veronica Sbrancia, Leandro Spadola

Set Decorators: Ludovica Sitti, Sarah Menichini, Benedetta Monetti, Martina Perrone, Bianca Passanti

Design Led: Roberto Riccò

Technical Director: Massimo Gianaroli

Stage Manager: Gianluca Bolla

Stagehand/Props: Eugenia Carro

Head Electrician: Antonio Rinaldi

Sound Technician: Paolo Vicenzi

Wardrobe: Carola Tesolin

Photos: Johanna Weber

Production: Emilia Romagna Teatro ERT / Teatro Nazionale, Fondazione Teatro di Napoli - Teatro Bellini

Collaboration: Attis Theatre Company

The project would like to express its special thanks to Italian Cultural Institute in Shanghai for their assistance.

About Theodoros Terzopoulos

Greek director Theodoros Terzopoulos is internationally recognized as one of the masters of 20th century theatre. He is known for his original approach to Greek tragedy and classical texts through a practice that combines ancient and modern arts. His prestigious and unique method of directing and dramaturgical approach is taught in Theatre Academies, Institutes and Departments of Classical Studies all over the world. Over the past 35 years, he has presented more than 2100 performances worldwide with his company. This is his second appearance at the Festival.

About Emilia Romagna Teatro ERT / National Theatre

ERT Emilia Romagna Teatro Fondazione is an Italian National Theatre directed by Valter Malosti. One of its main activities is theatre production. With almost 200 shows produced, ERT has worked with Masters of the Italian and international scene, and with young directors and companies. ERT productions have been performed in the most prestigious theatres and festivals in Italy and worldwide.

ERT has intense programming activity. Its head office is in Modena, but ERT also works in the cities of Bologna, Cesena, Vignola and Castelfranco Emilia, where it manages seven theatres.