Calenda: “Aristophanes at the Greek Theater of Syracuse to talk to modern day man”

“Those of the Greek theater are texts from over two thousand years ago but which speak to us, to the humanity of the 2000s, with much greater evidence and clarity than the pseudo contemporaneity of living authors, addressing the great themes of existence and being “. This is what the director Antonio Calenda points out to AdnKronos, who from 3 August brings to the Greek Theater of Syracuse – as part of the cycle of classical shows curated by the Inda, the National Institute of Ancient Drama directed by the superintendent Antonio Calbi – the comedy ‘Nuvole’ by Aristophanes “to speak to modern-day man through the voice of a great classic”. In particular, Calenda recalls, “Aristophanes introduces a new theatrical form into the great furrow of the Greek theater, comedy, which is a way to investigate contemporaneity, on the real and historical facts of the Athens of his time, even with a strong political charge subversive in his texts, taking to heart the destinies of the polis and pointing the finger at the political leaders of this decline “. Antonio Calenda is in his eighth direction in Syracuse but in his first comedy after seven tragedies staged at the Greek Theater and his first Aristophanes. “Syracuse is an obligatory point of reference for those who love and cultivate the great classical culture – he explains – and I am a lover of the great theatrical metaphor of the ancient and of these works which are of a topical and disruptive contemporaneity. I have always cultivated the ‘love for Greek theater and also for its modern followers, always in strict respect and I would say’ sacred ‘of the ancient Greek text “. Director Antonio Calenda observes:” The author with’ Clouds’ gives us back in a controversial and almost on the verge of ridicule the figure of Socrates, who also appears in Plato’s ‘Symposium’ as a friend of Aristophanes “. A philosophical ‘conflict’ that is not buried by the dust of time … “Not at all – confirms Calenda – just think of today’s intellectuals such as Luciano Canfora or Massimo Cacciari who wrote about it, analyzing in depth the text and dialogues of a comedy which is exemplary prophetic “. The actor Stefano Santospago enters the scene ‘Pirandellianamente’ in the role of Aristophanes, as an author of today who must represent his show, building it hand by hand and guiding the actors himself on the stage:” I did this choice because I wanted in some way to give voice to all the experiences of the twentieth century theater, from Tadeusz Kantor to Bertolt Brecht up to Luigi Pirandello, staging a show that in my intentions wants to be cultured and refined but at the same time popular “. With Santospago – which with ‘Nuvole’ completes the trio that sees him on stage for this season at the Greek theater in Syracuse also in the two tragedies ‘Baccanti’ and ‘Coefore-Eumenidi’ – on the stage or directed by Antonio Calenda, among others Antonello Fassari for Socrate, Nando Paone, Massimo Nicolini, Daniela Giovanetti and Galatea Ranzi. “A young and robust cast, with the addition of the students of the Inda Academy, which I found of an exceptional artistic level, which – underlines the director – bodes very well for the future of theater in Italy and in Europe. “. (by Enzo Bonaiuto)