Romeo Castellucci on the Scandal of the Body

In an interview with artpress, Italian theatre director Romeo Castellucci discusses the role of the body as a site of scandal in his work. Published in issue 465 of artpress (April 2019, pp. 58-64), the conversation with Emmanuel Daydé explores how Castellucci uses the physical presence of performers to challenge societal norms and provoke audiences. Castellucci, known for his radical and often controversial productions, argues that the body itself is inherently scandalous because it resists control and representation. He reflects on his approach to staging, where the body is not merely a tool for narrative but a raw, autonomous element that can generate meaning through its materiality and vulnerability. The interview touches on specific works, including his reinterpretation of classical texts and his use of non-professional performers. Castellucci emphasizes that scandal is not an end in itself but a means to confront the audience with the limits of perception and the unrepresentable. The piece offers insight into his philosophical and aesthetic principles, positioning the body as a central, disruptive force in contemporary theatre.