Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen's masterpiece is staged at the Ambra Jovinelli Theater, directed by Arturo Cirillo and with the adaptation by Antonio Piccolo; among the main actors we remember, as well as the director himself, Sabrina Scuccimarra, Valentina Picello, Francesco Petruzzelli, Rosario Giglio, Eleonora Pace.

The famous novel by the British writer, published in 1813, describes the world of Austin, that is, the peaceful and somewhat monotonous provincial life in the English countryside, which is the backdrop to many of her novels. At the heart of this is the sentimental maturation of three girls in an age of marriage. In fact, in the social culture of the time, conjugal union was considered an essential goal for young women of the upper and middle class, who, unable to work, did not have means of support outside the family of origin. It was necessary for them to enter into a good marriage - based not so much on feelings as on wealth - to gain some social security and guarantee themselves a future.

The theatrical adaptation by Antonio Piccolo reduces the number of daughters of Mr. Bennet (Cirillo) and his wife (Sabrina Scuccimarra) from five to two, a couple with rather brisk ways, revealing a modest social background. Jane (Eleonora Pace), eldest daughter, appears more naïve and focused on marriage, while Elizabeth (Valentina Picello), the freer and more cultured second child, is more aware of her dignity as a woman, and is willing to marry only on condition to meet love. In the novel, as in the play, unexpected facts upset an established balance: a visible metaphor for this reversal of the situation is the scene constructed by Dario Gessati with Eleonora Ticca, with four large tilting mirrors that expand the spaces, create reflections, multiplying the various facets of the various characters and viewers' points of view.

Thanks to the direction of Arturo Cirillo and the talent of the actors, all the irony of the writer emerges and her subtle criticism of the society of the time, as well as her keen spirit of observation in the description of the characters.

Photo credits: courtesy of Ambra Jovinelli Theater official site