Following successful runs in Trieste and Turin, the new critically acclaimed Italian version of William Shakespeare's Richard III opens a three week run Apr. 21 thru May 8, at Rome's Teatro Argentina. Translated into Italian by poet Patrizia Valduga, ,Richard III is directed by Antonio Calenda.
Leading a company of 17 is Franco Branciaroli, whose recent credits include the lead role in a 'male' version of Euripedes' Medea directed by Luca Ronconi, the title role in Shakespeare's ,Othello directed by Gabriele Lavia, the title role in Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac and the double role of Zanetto and Tonino in Goldoni's I due gemelli veneziani (The Two Venetian Twins) directed by Gianfranco De Bosio. Other principals include Lucilla Morlacchi, in the role of the old Queen Margareth, and Anita Bartolucci, in the role of Queen Elisabeth. Elena Ghiaurov plays Lady Anne and Antonio Zanoletti is the Duke of Buckingham.
A co-production between Trieste's Teatro Stabile del Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Milan's Teatro de gli Incamminati, Richard III, features sets and costumes by Bruno Buonincontri, music by Germano Mazzocchetti and lighting by Claudio Schmid.
Tickets and information for the Rome leg of the tour are available at the Teatro Argentina box office (+39 6 68.80.46.01 - 68.80.46.02). The show will tour other Italian cities in the 1998-99 season.
--By Stefano Curti
Italy Correspondent
