Finale di partita (Endgame)

A legendary performance, which will remain in the memory

- Franco Quadri, La Repubblica

This is a game of chess in which actor-players move the pieces and chess piece-characters bring to life one of the most significant and enigmatic works of the 20th century. The play is a challenge, an orchestrated series of attacks and counter-attacks, a sparring match with pauses, moments of introspection, sighs and withdrawals. Beckett's masterpiece is seen through a series of possible moves made by two chess pieces and the dramatic tension and participation of the two players. Hamm is a static, blind chess piece. Clov, who is also close to blindness and immobility, tires himself out moving all over the board without ever being able to sit down as he tries to find a way out. Nagg and Nell are off-the-board chess pieces, half-enclosed in dustbins.

The challenge continues at length, moves are made repeatedly. In a desperate and dysfunctional dependent relationship, Hamm continues making moves in an attempt to defend himself, while firing off foolish orders at Clov. For his part, Clov attacks the king, fencing him in with the threat of abandoning him, counterbalanced by an absurd and unreconciled obedience.

Finale de Partita (Endgame) forms part of the contemporary drama and stage work project through which Teatrino Giullare aims to apply an innovative perspective to some of the most important classic works of the last century.

Formed in 1995 and managed by the actor-directors, Giulia Dall'Ongaro and Enrico Deotti, Teatrino Giullare produces groundbreaking theatrical productions that have been performed throughout Italy and in numerous countries around the world such as Turkey, Guatemala, Ethiopia, Kenia, Argentina, Uruguay, Belarus, Pakistan, India, Canada, Iran and Israel. The company has also been invited to hold workshops and professional seminars on their theatrical art form by a range of international institutions. Their work has also won several prizes and awards including the National Italian Award of Critics (2006) and the Special Jury Award at the International MESS Theatre Festival in Sarajevo (2007).

www.teatrinogiullare.it