The Guarattelle of Pulcinella
The soul of GianlucaDi Matteo’s Le Guarattelle di Pulcinella, which he has been touring Europe with since 2002, lies in its gestural force and
musical rhythm. Trained in the art of the guarattelle (traditional Neapolitan
puppet theatre) by the masters Bruno Leone and Salvatore Gatto, Gianluca has
extended the art beyond traditional theatre to explore an experimental parallel
avenue, giving rise to L’uomo che viveva
nell’armadio (The man in the wardrobe), based on a 19th-century plot found
while rummaging among the curios of Turin’s National Cinema Museum. The
suggestive shadow play and dextrous handling of puppets in burlesque situations
together recount a story of love, betrayal and revenge.
In his latest piece, 85.
Le anime del
purgatorio (Souls in Purgatory), Gianluca rediscovers his Neapolitan roots.
Although based on guarattelle, this piece is brimming with visual stimuli that
also embrace new languages to create a dreamlike play inspired by Pucinella’s
vast iconography.
The show is dedicated to that halfway house purgatory, which
ideally represents Naples’
smitten population – a metaphor and symbol of all the peoples of the world.
SHOWS: 14 December: Energizing Kowloon East – 4 pm 15 December: Island East Markets – 12 noon 15 December: Hong Kong Arts Centre – Shouson Theatre – 4 pm 15 December: Hong Kong Arts Centre – Shouson Theatre – 8 pm
Free registration (for the shows at Hong Kong Arts Centre – Shouson Theatre) at: http://bit.ly/1fNTweo