DATE AND VENUE

28,29.05.1997, 21.30, Muhsin Ertuğrul Stage

PICCOLO TEATRO DI MILANO- TEATRO D’EUROPA

• Written by: Marivaux
• Directed by: Giorgio Strehler

In the “Island of Slaves”, as in all of Marivaux’ comedies, the servants are wiser than their masters. They are more entertaining, and appear funnier, because that “funniness” is the only way of expressing their wisdom freely. The masters become unwillingly funny, whereas the servants are consciously so. In this play, Monsieur, Madame, and their servants, Arlecchino and Silvia, who are saved from a shipwreck, take refuge on the equality and brotherhood, long before these concepts become the maxim of the French Revolution. When they arrive on the island, they are urged to change their clothes. Monsieur puts on the clothes of Arlecchino, and Madame wears Silvia’s. After inevitable disputes between the rivals, (the servants and their owners) they become acquainted with each other’s personalities and are forced to recognize the common point of humanity in themselves. The interpretation of the great master Giorgio Strehler, one of the foremost stage directors in the world, in a way reshapes (and thereby exalts) the fine framework of Marivaux’ work, in this “youthful” play.