ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Napoli Teatro Festival 2020: Three Productions Amidst Covid Constraints

festival-fair · 2026-04-27

In July 2020, the Napoli Teatro Festival Italia took place, modified by artistic director Ruggero Cappuccio in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The festival adhered to safety protocols, resulting in outdoor performances and the omission of international participants. Although the event featured a variety of productions, critics noted a decrease in the program's scale. Among the standout shows were: 'Buona permanenza al mondo' by Menoventi, directed by Gianni Farina and Consuelo Battiston, which examines the death of Vladimir Mayakovsky; 'Red Lion' by Patrick Marber, adapted by Andrej Longo, highlighting corruption in semi-professional football; and 'L'estate perduta. Ballata per Cesare Pavese,' commemorating the 70th anniversary of Pavese's death, starring Alessio Boni and Marcello Prayer, with music by Francesco Forni and Roberto Aldorasi.

Key facts

  • Napoli Teatro Festival Italia held its 2020 edition in July instead of June due to Covid-19.
  • Artistic director Ruggero Cappuccio adapted the program for safety, excluding international acts and using outdoor spaces.
  • Menoventi's 'Buona permanenza al mondo' investigates Vladimir Mayakovsky's death as part of a three-year project ending in 2021.
  • The production uses Serena Vitale's research 'Il defunto odiava i pettegolezzi' from Stalinist archives.
  • 'Red Lion' by Patrick Marber was adapted by Andrej Longo and directed by Marcello Cotugno for Teatri Uniti.
  • The play stars Nello Mascia, Andrea Renzi, and Lorenzo Scalzo, set in a provincial locker room.
  • 'L'estate perduta. Ballata per Cesare Pavese' commemorates 70 years since Cesare Pavese's death.
  • The piece features Alessio Boni and Marcello Prayer with music by Francesco Forni and Roberto Aldorasi.

Entities

Artists

  • Ruggero Cappuccio
  • Gianni Farina
  • Consuelo Battiston
  • Tamara Balducci
  • Leonardo Bianconi
  • Federica Garavaglia
  • Mauro Milone
  • Vladimir Mayakovsky
  • Serena Vitale
  • Patrick Marber
  • Marco Casazza
  • Andrej Longo
  • Marcello Cotugno
  • Nello Mascia
  • Andrea Renzi
  • Lorenzo Scalzo
  • Alessio Boni
  • Marcello Prayer
  • Cesare Pavese
  • Francesco Forni
  • Roberto Aldorasi
  • Constance Dowling
  • Giuseppe Distefano

Institutions

  • Napoli Teatro Festival Italia
  • Menoventi
  • Ravenna Festival
  • Teatri Uniti
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Naples
  • Italy
  • Ravenna
  • Vesuvius

Sources