Luigi Pirandello was an Italian dramatist born in 1867. He wrote about forty plays, most of which were tragic farces. One such play is
Liola, a pastoral comedy set in 1916 Sicily.
Liloa is a free spirit who believes in free love, and whose philosophy has inevitably led to three illegitimate sons by three different women. What he does not believe in is tying down, settling down, or responsibility.
As Liola roams from town to town, he meets Uncle Simone. The old man has lots of stuff, but no male heir to inherit it all, so Liola offers one of his boys for sale. Neither Simone or his wife are too pleased with this proposal.
A new interpretation of Pirandello's play is now on at the National Theatre until the 6th November, with
tickets ranging from £12-£34. In this version, Simone takes centre stage, and he is not adverse to the idea of fooling the community into thinking Liola's latest offspring is his own.
You can choose between a 2.15/30pm matinee or 7pm evening show. There will also be two accompanying talks. The first is on the 4th September for £4, and is a discussion between the director, Richard Eyre and the playwright, Tanya Ronder, who wrote the adaptation.
The second talk,
In Context, is an in-depth introduction to Pirandello's original play.
Tickets are £20 for the 11th October at 2pm.