A Theatrical exploration of trauma and Creativity

Alda Merini, a towering figure in Italian literature, is celebrated for her profound poetry and unflinching honesty. While her works are widely read,the harrowing experiences that shaped her voice – years spent in psychiatric institutions,grappling with mental illness,and enduring profound isolation – are ofen less known. Now, a compelling stage production, We Called Her Holy Land, seeks to illuminate this crucial aspect of her life and work.

Following a accomplished run last season, the play, conceived by Alessandro Fea and Star Note, returns to the stage, offering a deeply moving exploration of Merini’s suffering and resilience. The production draws heavily from Merini’s own writings, including her seminal work, The Holy Land, where she poignantly connects her personal ordeal with the past exodus of the Jewish peopel, creating a powerful metaphor for displacement and pain.

Staging the Abyss: A Dichotomy of Confinement and Creation

the stage design itself is a powerful visual representation of Merini’s fractured reality. Two symbolic doors divide the space, creating a stark contrast between the sterile surroundings of the psychiatric hospital and the creative sanctuary of her home. On one side, a bare hospital bed evokes the cold, impersonal nature of institutionalization. On the other, a desk and typewriter represent the refuge she found in writing.

This central “limbo,” where costume changes occur, highlights the agonizing transition between these two worlds. The production masterfully conveys the overwhelming feelings of abandonment, despair, and fear that permeated Merini’s life, threatening to extinguish her hope for a return to normalcy. The play underscores the profound impact of institutionalization, a reality that, while evolving, continues to affect countless individuals worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, mental health conditions affect hundreds of millions of people globally, with many facing meaningful barriers to accessing adequate care and support.

The Healing Power of Words: Doctor G’s insight

A pivotal figure in Merini’s journey is a compassionate doctor, referred to as “Doctor G,” who recognizes her extraordinary sensitivity and understands that writing is her lifeline. This doctor’s insight becomes the key to unlocking Merini’s potential and offering her a path out of the isolating darkness that threatens to consume her. This narrative resonates with current therapeutic approaches that emphasize creative expression as a vital tool for healing and self-revelation.

A Performance of Profound Introspection

alessandro Fea’s direction is described as astute and direct, employing subtle techniques, such as the use of puppets to represent psychiatric sessions, to enhance the storytelling. However, the core of the performance rests on Star Note’s portrayal of Alda Merini. Note delivers a performance of profound introspection, convincingly conveying the internal struggles and emotional complexities of the poet. The actress navigates a constant oscillation between lucidity and suffering, offering the audience a visceral understanding of Merini’s lived experience during her internment.

Atmospheric Soundscape: Music as Emotional Resonance

Complementing the powerful performances, Alessandro Fea also crafted the musical score, wich alternates between evocative sounds and poignant silences. This carefully constructed soundscape intimately accompanies the shifting emotional landscape of the play,mirroring the transitions between love and pain,hope and despair,poetry and fragility. the music serves as a powerful undercurrent, amplifying the emotional impact of Merini’s story.

Production Details

Cometa Off presents

We called her holy land

Written by Alessandro Fea and Star Note

A deep and exciting journey between diaries and poetry

By Alda Merini

With Star Note

Sound and live music: Alessandro Fea

Photo on Grazia Menna