In March 1978 the terrorist group Brigate Rosse (Red Brigades) kidnapped and eventually murdered the Italian Christian Democrat leader Aldo Moro. Twenty years later, one of the most dramatic moments of recent Italian history has been brought to the stage by Parma's Teatro Stabile and Rome's La Contemporanea 83. Il caso Moro (The Moro file), written by Roberto Buffagni and directed by Cristina Pezzoli, is playing its final performances this weekend at Parma's Teatro Due before embarking in the 1998-99 season on a long tour around Italy. Leading a company of 10 is the veteran actor Sergio Fantoni.

Author Roberto Buffagni and director Cristina Pezzoli conducted a thorough research examining piles of documents, including the official proceedings of the Parliamentary commission that conducted the investigation and the letters Aldo Moro wrote during his kidnapping.

Il caso Moro features sets and costumes by Giacomo Andrico, music by Bruno de Franceschi and lighting by Giancarlo Salvatori.

Further information is available at Parma's Teatro Due at +39 521 20.80.88.

--By Stefano Curti
Italy Correspondent