ITALIAN JOURNEY – PROGRAMME 1

SICILY – THE GREEK AMPHITHEATRE

Syracuse’s most impressive example of Greek architecture is its amphitheatre. It is still used as a theatre today. Every night during the summer Angela Barbagallo stages classical plays in the auditorium.

Gabriella: Angela, when was Syracuse’s Greek theatre built?

Angela Barbagallo: It was built in the third century BC by the Greek architect Damacopos. However some texts indicate that there was a Greek theatre on this same site much earlier on, in the fifth century BC.

Gabriella: So this is a very ancient theatre!

Angela Barbagallo: Yes, very ancient. It’s very old.

Gabriella: What role did it play in everyday life in Syracuse? 

Angela Barbagallo: In everyday life, in ancient times, here in Syracuse…it was a crucial focus point for religious and civic life, and then it became a theatre of international renown after Aeschylus’s first play was represented here.

Gabriella: Every night you follow the actors’ work here. Is it like a spell repeating itself over and over again?

Angela Barbagallo: Yes, we do it every night. But it’s not just a spell, because magic is something you have to work on, and actually it’s hard work recreating the magic of Greek theatre. It’s a collective effort, an effort made by technicians, directors, actors and all the rest of the crew. Then naturally, when the audience is sitting down and the actors walk onto stage, then all the material things disappear, all the tangible efforts that have been made give way to the actual magical experience.

Elizabetta Pozzi has come to Syracuse to play the part of Electra.  

Gabriella: What does it represent for you to be playing a part like Electra in a theatre like this one?

Elizabetta Pozzi: It’s something I feel very strongly about, it’s unique. I feel like I’m being spoilt being able to perform here, it really is a unique thing being in such close contact with a place like this. It has helped me deepen my understanding of certain roles. Roles like Medea and Electra, roles I’ve played before, that I know well, but never really fully understood. Some of the monologues, or even the dialogues- like the one between Electra and her brother- take on a new significance when they are spoken here among these stones, with this type of audience, in this type of theatre. You see in small indoor theatres everything feels smaller, it feels mundane, whereas here you feel big and everything feels possible.

Gabriella: Well thanks Elizabetta, and good luck for tonight!