Scicli welcomes “The Great Gatsby” in a mise en espace with Alessio Vassallo and Lorenzo Mancarella
In the enchanting setting of Villa Penna in Scicli, on July 27, a magical evening was held that combined literature with stage art, resulting in a unique initiative: PORTA UN LIBRO IN TEATRO. This event, designed to bring the public closer to reading and theater, featured a performance of one of the most iconic works of American literature, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
The mise en espace of The Great Gatsby transformed the Villa Penna stage into a glittering 1920s stage set in the sophisticated atmosphere of a gilded and decadent New York. Alessio Vassallo and Lorenzo Mancarella played the roles of Jay Gatsby and Nick Carraway with an emotional depth that captured the essence of Fitzgerald’s novel. Their performance revealed the complexities and dilemmas of the characters, with a focus on the themes of the American dream, materialism and the search for identity.
The Great Gatsby, first published in 1925, tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a wealthy and mysterious man who hosts lavish parties in hopes of winning back his former love, Daisy Buchanan. The novel is a vivid portrait of American society of the period, exploring the contradictions between the glittering facade of success and the darker, bleaker reality beneath the surface. Through the eyes of the narrator, Nick Carraway, Fitzgerald offers a penetrating and poetic critique of the materialism and illusion of the American dream.
The dialogue between the scenes and the written words created an immersive and reflective experience that allowed the audience to feel the tension and drama inherent in the plot, making the experience not only visual but also sensory.
The PORTA UN LIBRO IN TEATRO project is not just an opportunity to enjoy a play, but an invitation to rediscover the pleasure of reading. The evening was an ode to the importance of literature, which can inspire and connect people, and to the power of theater, which transforms words into palpable emotions.
And the adventure of PORTA UN LIBRO IN TEATRO does not end here. The review will continue with two more unmissable events:
- Aug. 30: Un Amore, based on the novel by Dino Buzzati, with a masterful performance by Paolo Briguglia. An evening that promises to explore the nuances of love feeling through Buzzati’s evocative words.
- Sept. 10: Uno Nessuno Centomila, from the work of Luigi Pirandello, with Enrico Lo Verso. An opportunity to reflect on the concept of identity and the eternal conflict between being and appearing, brought to the stage by one of Italy’s most appreciated actors.
We invite all participants to share their most beautiful shots of the evenings, using the hashtag #Enjoybarocco. Your photos will help make this experience even more special, creating a gallery of memories that celebrates the meeting of theater, literature and the charm of our area.
A short clip from the show
