Andrea Pazienza's 'Gli ultimi giorni di Pompeo' adapted for stage

The comic 'Gli ultimi giorni di Pompeo' by Andrea Pazienza, considered his artistic testament, is being adapted into a theatrical performance. Originally serialized in Alter Alter from April 1985 and published in volume by Editori del Grifo in 1987, the work depicts the protagonist's descent into heroin addiction. Despite its dark theme, the narrative is sarcastic, sincere, and brutally honest, blending fiction with Pazienza's own life and societal references. The show, created by Massimo Bonechi, Riccardo Goretti, and Giorgio Rossi, with consultancy from Pazienza's widow Marina Comandini and special participation by Lucia Poli and David Riondino, debuted on March 19, 2023 at Teatro dei Filodrammatici in Piacenza. It will be performed again on October 7, 2023 at 9:00 PM at Teatro Concordia in San Benedetto del Tronto, the town where Pazienza was born in 1956. Goretti noted that the story, even without Pazienza's drawings, retains its epic quality and depth, requiring careful handling.