From the Director
The Shrewd Widow (La Vedova Scaltra) was one the first plays Goldoni wrote in the new style of Commedia di Carattere with the aim of reforming the Italian theatre. What does 'reform of theatre' mean? Starting from the old established tradition of the Commedia dell' Arte, Goldoni made his characters more realistic by substituting the masked stock characters with the true people of his times, and consequently giving them a new shape, a new face, a new psychology.
In this play we see Rosaura, a wise but still young and charming widow courted by four gentlemen in a story that happens in Venice. The four suitors come from different countries, Italy, France, Spain and England. In their attempt to win the heart of the beautiful widow the four men show their habits, virtues and vices. Who will succeed? The tricks and the intrigues of servants and old men (this big part of Commedia dell' Arte still survives) will play a crucial role in the whole story.
My production aims to reveal the importance of the Commedia dell' Arte heritage in this play, trying to unveil the lazzi and the funny moments that still lie under the surface of a delicate and elegant script. This is the direction that I have given to the play, which I would like the audience to receive as nicely funny, elegantly enjoyable, and pleasurable with style.
