Aldo Moro kidnapping becomes a theatrical performance
Luciano Padovani's dance-theatre piece 'Stella' premiered at Piccolo Bellini in Naples on October 11-12, 2025. The work explores the psychological state of two young Red Brigade members during the 1978 kidnapping of Christian Democrat president Aldo Moro. Padovani spent 18 months researching documents, genealogical reconstructions, and meeting an anonymous former brigatista. The show uses physical theatre and dance to examine power dynamics, ideology, and blind obedience. The production is staged by Naturalis Labor, a contemporary dance company founded by Padovani in Vicenza in 1988, supported by Italy's Ministry of Culture, Veneto Region, Vicenza Province and Municipality, and Arco Danza. The review was written by Manuela Barbato, who is the programmer of Teatro Bellini.
Key facts
- Luciano Padovani's 'Stella' premiered at Piccolo Bellini in Naples on October 11-12, 2025.
- The piece focuses on the emotional state of two young Red Brigade members during Aldo Moro's 1978 kidnapping.
- Padovani researched for 18 months, including meetings with an anonymous former brigatista.
- The show uses physical theatre and dance to explore power, ideology, and obedience.
- Naturalis Labor was founded in Vicenza in 1988 by Luciano Padovani.
- The company is supported by Italy's Ministry of Culture, Veneto Region, Vicenza Province and Municipality, and Arco Danza.
- The review author Manuela Barbato is the programmer of Teatro Bellini.
- The Red Brigades had about 20,000 members and aimed to liberate Italy from capitalism and imperialism.
Entities
Artists
- Luciano Padovani
- Manuela Barbato
Institutions
- Piccolo Bellini
- Naturalis Labor
- Ministero della Cultura
- Regione Veneto
- Provincia di Vicenza
- Comune di Vicenza
- Arco Danza
- Teatro Bellini
- Brigate Rosse
- Artribune
Locations
- Napoli
- Naples
- Italy
- Vicenza
- Veneto