We are pleased to announce to our readers that from May 15th to 17th at Villa Lazzaroni Tgeatre in Rome, Giancarlo Sammartano’s show “Eduardo, let’s face it” will be staged. The show’s lead actor is Nicola Acunzo. The author of the play is Claudio Proietti, a well-known writer, screen-writer and playright. And it is precisely with the playwright that we start a series of interviews focused on this play and the respective theatre show.
Claudio Proietti is enthusiastic about everything he does. If you have a chance of experiencing his creativity: it will surely inspire you.
Claudio, you are the author of the play “Eduardo, let’s face it”. How did your interest in the iconic Neapolitan playwright come about?
My attraction to Eduardo’s theater began when I was very little. I remember, with tenderness and nostalgia, my family and I would sit in front of the TV set watching his comedies. It was a ritual. Hearing his voice and seeing his magnetic face moved me so much.
Did you write this story as a play or does it also exist in the form of a novel?
II wrote it as a play from the very beginning. It was born thanks to Nicola Acunzo who proposed it’s idea to me. He absolutely wanted to stage Eduardo, without using his plays. He wanted the show to talk about him. No small feat, believe me.
In what form do you feel most comfortable writing today: drama, narrative, something else? What are you already familiar with and what would you still like to experience?
I like telling stories. I’m open to everything. I miss cinema, to tell you the truth. I’ve made short films, and they went well too. But cinema is something else. I hope to encounter it soon.
Naples and Neapolitan identity for you: what is it? Which aspect of the phenomenon fascinates and/or alarms you?
First of all, on my mother’s side, I’m of Neapolitan origin. So, I’m playing at home. Everything fascinates me, nothing alarms me. We should be proud of this precious jewel that is Naples. There is no more creative and imaginative place in the world.
Are you on good terms with a comedy?
I would say, on excellent ones. Without comedy and irony, life wouldn’t make sense. It’s essential to keep going, despite everything we are experiencing. There should be more comedies than dramas in theater. I try to alternate genres. But I prefer comedies.
How and why did you choose Giancarlo Sammartano to direct this show?
Giancarlo was introduced to me by Nicola. I was the last to arrive. They had already worked together. With Giancarlo there was an immediate understanding. He’s a sensitive and experienced director. I am lucky to work with him.
How did your collaboration with Nicola Acunzo come about?
I’ve known this actor for a long time. We had wanted to do something crazy together for years. And the crazy idea arrived! I have great respect for Nicola, he’s a great actor.
Did you also experience the doubts and insecurities of the protagonist of this story?
Of course. I think, this refers to every craftsman or artist. Without doubts, uncertainties, and fear, there is no evolution, no creation, nothing happens at all.
Why is “Eduardo, let’s face it” a play to read and a show to see? How would you present it to your readers and to the audience?
Receive a nice gift from us.. Enjoy this story because you will surely find in it something you were looking for, the way it happened to us, people who worked on it. And this experience will make you smile and move you. Then you’ll tell me.
As an author who has worked in theater and cinema, aren’t you planning a return to directing?
I’d like to. I won’t hide from you that I really miss working with actors. It’s a magical exchange of energy. I’ll return to directing with the right project.
We wish Claudio Proietti much success, now and in the future, and invite you to Villa Lazzaroni Tgeatre on May 15th, 16th, and 17th. On stage, the comedy “Eduardo, let’s face it”.
Olga Matsyna
