Filumena Marturano is a play written in 1946 by Italian playwright and philosopher Eduardo De Filippo.
I chose this play primarily because it is a classic but also because I feel that it is a relevant and colourful social comedy
The plot centres round 60-year-old Domenico Soriano, a wealthy Neapolitan shopkeeper who has been in a relationship with Filumena, 51, a former prostitute for the past 25 years. Although Domenico has his eye on a young nurse, Filumena manages to trick him into marriage (finally!) after pretending to be on her deathbed.
Domenico, as one may imagine, is not a happy bunny when he discovers this subterfuge… However, all is not exactly what it seems.
De Filippo actually wrote Filumena Marturano as a tribute to his sister, Titina De Filippo – a famous Neapolitan theatrical actress, who took up the title role in the first production in Naples in 1946. After initial lukewarm reviews, the play achieved great success; so great that for many years afterwards Titina was called in public in Italy by her character’s name rather than her own.
Maltese actress Rita Camilleri certainly has big boots to fill when a Maltese translation of the play (by Louis Azzopardi) is presented this weekend at the Manoel Theatre:
“Filumena is a very, very strong woman, who doesn’t take anything lying down – and that is totally different to me, because I am a very laid-back person,” she laughs, “This play is a joy to be involved in… it has a bit of everything – laughter, tears, love, anger . It’s is full of passion.”
Filumena Marturano has a very good “pedigree” not only in its native country, but also abroad. It was first performed in England at the Lyric Theatre in London. It was directed by Franco Zeffirelli and starred Colin Blakely and Joan Plowright.
The production was then taken to New York City where it opened in 1980 on Broadway and it ran for 32 performances. Prior to the New York transfer it had a run in Baltimore, where it was directed by Laurence Olivier (Joan Plowright’s husband).
More recently – in 1998/9 the play was performed at the Piccadilly Theatre in London. It was directed by Peter Hall with Dame Judi Dench in the title role.
There were also a few film and television versions of the play, the first being in 1950 which was directed by De Filippo himself and starred his sister again.
Another screen version was directed by Vittorio De Sica and it was renamed Matrimonio all’Italiana (Marriage Italian-style). It starred Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni.
In Malta, the play was last performed in Malta 17 years ago.
“I thought the time was right for another presentation,” says Talenti founder Mario Micallef, who will be playing the part of Domenico, “I chose this play primarily because it is a classic but also because I feel that it is a relevant and colourful social comedy.
“It is truly a brilliant play which reflects a side to human nature which intrigues me – how a great man gets outsmarted by a shrewd woman! I sincerely believe that every theatregoer should watch this masterpiece at least once in their life.”
The rest of the cast included Ninette Micallef, Snitz, Alan Fenech, Carlos Farrugia, Sean Buhagiar, Audrey Harrison, Michael Sciortino, Lorna Fiorini, Anna Bassily and Clive Piscopo.
In Malta, the play will be directed by Salvu Mallia who says that the rehearsals have been going very smoothly:
“Of course, the main characters had a lot upon which to chew, but Mario and Rita were so well-prepared, that I had the time to concentrate a bit more deeply on the minor roles, discovering an unexpected richness of characterisation.
“The whole cast has put so much passion and work in this production, that it promises to be an intensely emotionally-charged play that will surely get the audience involved.”
• Filumena Marturano is being staged at the Manoel Theatre tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday at 8 p.m. Tickets may be obtained be phone on 2124 6389, e-mail: bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt or online: www.teatrumanoel.com.mt