Two itinerant theatrical performances to tell the story of Altopascio

A double appointment to discover the history of the municipality of Altopascio. It is now all ready for “Step by step. Light on the history of Altopascio “ an initiative included in the very rich program of July Altopascese 2022 and in the festival Sorris Museumsoe that brings to the town of Tau the emotion of history, of the story, of the theater in a completely new way.

The news was presented this morning (July 19) in Altopascio by the mayor Sara D’Ambrosiothe councilor for cultural policies, Alessio Minicozzithe president of the Paolo Cresci Foundation, Ave Marchithe director of the Territorial Museum System of the Province of Lucca and director of the Paolo Cresci Foundation, Pietro Luigi Biagionithe president of the “Venti d’Arte” association, Lucia Morellithe actress Laura Martinelli and the teacher Gianfranco Cosmi.

“Being part of the Museum System means multiplying the possibilities of bringing the historical places of our territory to life – commented D’Ambrosio and Minicozzi -. In this case, the historic center will be revived, with the historical collection on our medieval past, and Badia Pozzeveri, with the stretch of the Francigena and the history that regains body and vitality. In this edition of the July Altopascese we really give space to our whole territory, telling it, presenting it, deepening its most fascinating stories and events. But that’s not all: we enhance spaces, places, hamlets. Living Altopascio means enjoying its spaces, getting to know it, passing on its history. With these events we bring theater, culture, beauty, wonder. Thanks to those who have chosen to work on Altopascio, to those who have understood its potential, the desire to be reborn and become a point of reference ”.

“The museum network was born from a work done in 20 years – he explains Ave Marchi, president of the Paolo Cresci Foundation – which gradually stratified and found the right channels to become a network, thus involving even the most distant areas of the province, or less known. On Altopascio we offer an unprecedented show, which, thanks to the magic of the theater, will allow adults as well as children to discover museums and places of cultural interest. Behind there is a great deal of work on the part of those who have planned these initiatives for long months: I thank all and all those who worked on the design of the festival ”.

“The Altopascio appointments are part of the Smile Museums – like this Pietro Luigi Biagioni -. The museum is the heritage of pride, of the past, of a community, from small to large. This is an ambitious path, achieved thanks to the competence and tenacity of those who worked on it “.

“Step by step is a show tailor-made for Altopascio, the result of months of work – he says Lucia Morelli -. An innovative formula with the theater taking to the streets. I don’t want to spoil too much, but this show will have three keywords: history, culture and spirituality. It will also send a message to the youngest: to stop, listen and look inside “.

Precisely on the theme of spirituality, a concert on Puccini with maestro Gianfranco Cosmi. The date will be made official soon.

A mix of events between history, culture and spirituality therefore, which will be in continuity with the event scheduled for Friday (22 July), or Mathildisthe medieval festival.

Mathildis, the medieval festival returns to Altopascio

The shows

“Step by step. Light on the history of Altopascio “ it will be a real traveling theatrical performance in two episodes to be held in the historic center of Altopascio and in Badia di Pozzeveri, by the territorial museum system of the Province of Lucca and the Museum of the Ancient Hospital of Altopascio on the Via Francigena. The initiative, included in the “I Musei del Sorriso” festival produced and organized by the museum system for the period July – October 2022, will depart from Altopascio at 6pm and will accompany the spectators to discover the history of Altopascio: two historical figures who have marked the course of events in the town will narrate events and illustrate historical monuments.

At 9 pm, in Badia Pozzeverithe audience will immerse themselves in feelings of the pilgrimage, along the last stretch of the Via Francigena and coming into contact with a crime story – which really happened – told by a mysterious character. A sensory experience, more than a show, where the public is both protagonist and spectator. The show is produced by the Museum System in collaboration with the Cultural Association Venti d’Arte Aps. The dramaturgy is by Francesco Tomeiwhile the direction is by Stefano Cosimini. On stage four actors, two men and two women: Sebastiano Catignani, Durante Corsetti, Chiara Millo and Laura Martinelli. Scientific advice for dramaturgy is by Alessandro Giacomelli and Jacopo Paganelli, both of the University of Pisa.

Waiting for Rickshaw

July 23 will also go on stage “Waiting for Rickshaw”. The actors Marco Brinzi And Caterina Simonellinamely Vladimiro and Estragon from “Waiting for Godot”, will wander the streets and squares of Badia Pozzeveri (at 19.30) and Altopascio (at 20.30, Piazza Umberto I) in search of something. But what? Perhaps the end of the pandemic, perhaps a sense of their being: a research that they conduct, aided by the audience, by staging the most significant good in theatrical literature. From Romeo and Juliet and to Hamlet, from Don Quixote to Goldoni: the public will take part in the sketches, between play and imagination, between improvisation and theater. “Waiting for Risci” will also be staged on Sunday (24 July), at 19.30 a Marginone and at 20.30 a Flatten. “Aspettando Risiò” is produced by the permanent theater of Bolzano and by the Ifprana Company.

Both shows are a Free admission. To consult the entire program of the July Altopascese: ioscelogoaltopascio.it.