Pippo Delbono's 'Vangelo' Divides Audience at Teatro Bellini

Pippo Delbono's latest theatrical work 'Vangelo' premiered at Teatro Bellini in Naples, provoking a polarized response from the audience. The performance, inspired by his dying mother's wish, is a personal and irreverent take on the Gospels, blending dance, acting, song, video, and performance. Delbono, an atheist and practicing Buddhist, critiques the Catholic Church's use of God to subjugate humans, while reclaiming Christ's message of compassion for the marginalized. A young Afghan refugee's testimony universalizes the intimate work. The show lacks a linear narrative, instead presenting a mosaic of memories and rebellions. Delbono concludes with a wistful note: if the Gospel had been presented as a message of joy, perhaps everyone would have believed and loved it.