Raffaele Esposito's 'The Brig' Recreates Kenneth Brown's Prison Hell at Teatro Due
Raffaele Esposito is making his directorial debut at Teatro Due in Parma with a compelling version of Kenneth H. Brown's 'The Brig.' This play, first showcased by the Living Theatre in 1963, exposes the brutal realities of a Marine Corps prison. To create a deeper connection with the audience, Esposito put twelve young actors through rigorous training and arranged the seating in a cage-like setup, making the viewers feel like they were part of the experience. Running throughout 2017, this production reflects Brown's own time in a Japanese prison. Notably, the original staging by Julian Beck and Judith Malina marked a shift in political theatre. Esposito’s take emphasizes the play’s relevance today regarding self-coercion and identity. The cast includes Luca Cicolella, Lucio De Francesco, and others.
Key facts
- Raffaele Esposito directs Kenneth H. Brown's 'The Brig' at Teatro Due, Parma, in 2017.
- The play was originally staged by the Living Theatre in 1963.
- Brown wrote the play based on his own imprisonment in Japan.
- The audience is seated on two facing bleachers inside a cage-like set.
- Twelve actors underwent extensive training for the production.
- The Living Theatre's production was led by Julian Beck and Judith Malina.
- The Compagnia della Fortezza from Volterra prison staged it in 1994 under Armando Punzo.
- Esposito's version highlights the play's relevance as a metaphor for modern self-coercion.
Entities
Artists
- Kenneth H. Brown
- Raffaele Esposito
- Julian Beck
- Judith Malina
- Armando Punzo
- Luca Cicolella
- Lucio De Francesco
- Luca Filippi
- Lorenzo Frediani
- Gabriele Gattini Bernabò
- Michele Lisi
- Dino Lopardo
- Alessandro Maione
- Nicola Nicchi
- Massimo Nicolini
- Gian Marco Pellecchia
- Gabriele Pestilli
- Giuseppe Distefano
Institutions
- Teatro Due
- Living Theatre
- Compagnia della Fortezza
- Artribune
Locations
- Parma
- Italy
- Japan
- Volterra