Le maschere di mio padre
Piccolo Teatro Grassi, Milan, Italy, May 2017.
This May, Ludovica and I had the privilege to backstage the play “Arlecchino servitore di due padroni”, where the main character is played by her father.
In this work we wanted to capture an expression of intimacy behind a world-famous production that has a special place in the history of theatre.
Ludovica explained what Arlecchino means to her with words that convey the universal language of staged storytelling:
“The first time I was behind the scene of a theatre was almost 30 years ago, at Piccolo Teatro of Milan. The play was, of course, “Arlecchino servitore di due padroni” with my father, Ferruccio Soleri, in his role, Arlecchino.
What I remember the most is a distinct smell. Only behind the scene you can smell a specific scent made by consumed wood, velvet curtains and sweat. The scent behind Arlecchino's scene is even more particular because of leather masks. It is magical every time I smell it and it feels like home.
The play is known worldwide and has been performed in each continents. "Arlecchino servitore di due padroni" is the most famous Carlo Goldoni play and the brilliant director Giorgio Strelher has made it even more famous. My father has played the role since 1963. After 54 years in the same role, he has been mentioned in the World Guinness Records. "Arlecchino servitore di due padroni" is the most famous and longest running Italian show.
Everything I know about theatre I learned from my father and from behind the scene. I learned what Commedia dell'Arte really means and it means a whole world. Acting, performing in general, requires some skills that Commedia dell'Arte provides greatly but acting with masks is a different story. You have to learn how to move your body perfectly and how to modulate your voice to fill the absence of facial expressions. Strelher once said that you are not a real actor until you master the masks.
This play represents the core of it and Arlecchino is its symbol. A wonderful combination of culture and traditions, poetry and gags, mime and dance fascinates audiences from all countries and all ages, each performance. Another fundamental piece of Commedia dell'Arte and this show is the improvisation. Every night some actors or all of them improvise, sometimes during the break they decide together something and sometimes it just happens because this is Theatre. My father used to say that he cannot know exactly what will happen during the show because each show is different, the audience is different, and the improvisations will be different.
This year my father is 88 years old and I watched him improvising for the longest time ever. I was laughing and crying at the same time. His performance is timeless and ageless.
I am moved every time I see him acting because I know exactly the passion, the talent, and the discipline behind the mask. Nothing happens by chance or luck. You have to work hard for it. The multicolor patchwork suit of Arlecchino is the happiest costume of all times, originally made by "toppe" to cover the holes. It is the simple mind of a child who inhabits the costume that makes you smile, and helps my father stays young and passionate.
It was a pleasure and an honor to witness a huge piece of theatre history. This play is a fundamental piece of Italian heritage, of every speactor, and of my life.” (Ludovica Soleri)
This May, Ludovica and I had the privilege to backstage the play “Arlecchino servitore di due padroni”, where the main character is played by her father.
In this work we wanted to capture an expression of intimacy behind a world-famous production that has a special place in the history of theatre.
Ludovica explained what Arlecchino means to her with words that convey the universal language of staged storytelling:
“The first time I was behind the scene of a theatre was almost 30 years ago, at Piccolo Teatro of Milan. The play was, of course, “Arlecchino servitore di due padroni” with my father, Ferruccio Soleri, in his role, Arlecchino.
What I remember the most is a distinct smell. Only behind the scene you can smell a specific scent made by consumed wood, velvet curtains and sweat. The scent behind Arlecchino's scene is even more particular because of leather masks. It is magical every time I smell it and it feels like home.
The play is known worldwide and has been performed in each continents. "Arlecchino servitore di due padroni" is the most famous Carlo Goldoni play and the brilliant director Giorgio Strelher has made it even more famous. My father has played the role since 1963. After 54 years in the same role, he has been mentioned in the World Guinness Records. "Arlecchino servitore di due padroni" is the most famous and longest running Italian show.
Everything I know about theatre I learned from my father and from behind the scene. I learned what Commedia dell'Arte really means and it means a whole world. Acting, performing in general, requires some skills that Commedia dell'Arte provides greatly but acting with masks is a different story. You have to learn how to move your body perfectly and how to modulate your voice to fill the absence of facial expressions. Strelher once said that you are not a real actor until you master the masks.
This play represents the core of it and Arlecchino is its symbol. A wonderful combination of culture and traditions, poetry and gags, mime and dance fascinates audiences from all countries and all ages, each performance. Another fundamental piece of Commedia dell'Arte and this show is the improvisation. Every night some actors or all of them improvise, sometimes during the break they decide together something and sometimes it just happens because this is Theatre. My father used to say that he cannot know exactly what will happen during the show because each show is different, the audience is different, and the improvisations will be different.
This year my father is 88 years old and I watched him improvising for the longest time ever. I was laughing and crying at the same time. His performance is timeless and ageless.
I am moved every time I see him acting because I know exactly the passion, the talent, and the discipline behind the mask. Nothing happens by chance or luck. You have to work hard for it. The multicolor patchwork suit of Arlecchino is the happiest costume of all times, originally made by "toppe" to cover the holes. It is the simple mind of a child who inhabits the costume that makes you smile, and helps my father stays young and passionate.
It was a pleasure and an honor to witness a huge piece of theatre history. This play is a fundamental piece of Italian heritage, of every speactor, and of my life.” (Ludovica Soleri)
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