A theatrical work returns to the stage of the Casa del Mandolino e delle Arti del Mediterraneo to pay homage to one of the greatest and most prestigious exponents of Neapolitan culture, literature, journalism, society and art, a woman who was the protagonist of the birth of the Neapolitan daily newspaper “Il Mattino” (16 March 1892).
Intellectual, humanist, tenacious and tireless worker, a committed feminist, who with her articles and writings contributed to the battles for women's emancipation.
Prose and music show based on the novel by the author Giovanna Mozzillo, adapted by Vanda Riccio.
“An old housekeeper of the Scarfoglio-Serao household tells the story of the journalist, Neapolitan by adoption and Greek by birth: Matilde Serao.
We are in the time of the great Neapolitan poets such as Salvatore Di Giacomo and Ferdinando Russo, and also non-Neapolitans such as Gabriele D'Annunzio, who frequented the couple's home.
The woman's story is often interrupted by comments from a man sitting to the side in the proscenium, enveloped in soft lighting, who personifies at times the audience that is speaking, at times the mind of the narrator. The narration is interrupted by sentimental outbursts that characterize the great mutual affection between the old governess and the protagonist, Matilde Serao, who will never appear on the scene except through the words of the narrator. The governess's language is characterized by attempts at a correct Italian as befits the homes of high-class people and by lapses into an Italianized Neapolitan due to a poor education, in spite of herself.
The audience also demands to know Serao's husband, Eduardo Scarfoglio and then the actor will enter the scene after a metamorphosis in front of the audience that will make him a "character".
Another protagonist will be the newspaper IL MATTINO founded by the couple which, at that time, was "the voice of the Neapolitan people".
Matilde Serao, a feminist ante-litteram, according to some, certainly a tireless journalist and writer.
The actors will tell the eventful life of Serao, through images that flow, arriving up to her death, which occurred suddenly in 1927.
The whole story will be accompanied by music and images.
Article published on March 7, 2024 - 18pm
