«Francesco - Un piede nel passato e lo sguardo nel futuro»

Saint Francis of Assisi speaks to our times once again, doing so with the smile, irony, and liveliness of popular theatre. Friday, November 20, Saturday, November 21, and Sunday, November 22, at 8:30 p.m., the Teatro AncheCinema in Bari will host «Francis: One Foot in the Past and His Gaze toward the Future», a production conceived by Brother Marco Valletta, written and directed by Tiziana Schiavarelli, featuring the special participation of Dante Marmone, with the collaboration of Vito Signorile, who will perform the renowned «Canticle of the Creatures».

The initiative is produced by the Friars Minor of Puglia and Molise, in collaboration with the Bari-Bitonto Section of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, under the patronage of the Secular Franciscan Order of Puglia. This theatrical project springs from the desire to present audiences—with an original language accessible to every generation—the extraordinary contemporary relevance of the Franciscan message, eight hundred years after the death of the Saint of Assisi, whose anniversary will be commemorated in 2026.

Leading this journey between past and future will be Tiziana Schiavarelli, the protagonist of a lively, ironic, and never irreverent reinterpretation of the figure of the “Little Poor Man.” With her unmistakable B পার? Barese humor, the actress and playwright creates a story that intertwines comedy and spirituality, amusing situations and moments of reflection, seeking in the Francis of eight centuries ago answers to the anxieties and contradictions of the present.

The title of the production suggests precisely this dialogue between distant eras: one foot firmly planted in history, the other ready to move toward the future. For the themes that shaped Francis’s life—from poverty to fraternity, from peace to respect for creation—retain a striking modernity and continue to challenge contemporary society today.

Nor is the reference to Francis as the “Jester of God” accidental. The Saint made joy, simplicity, and direct communication with people the instruments of a spiritual and human revolution. He sang, preached, and spoke to both the lowliest and the powerful, choosing a language capable of reaching everyone. It is precisely this joyful and profoundly popular dimension that inspires Schiavarelli’s writing. She will ideally take on the role of a modern female jester of God, accompanying the audience on a journey in which laughter can become an opportunity for awareness, encounter, and even prayer.

The narrative will also devote particular attention to the historical and spiritual bond between Saint Francis and Puglia, a region that the Franciscan tradition connects with the Saint’s journey toward the Holy Land. This relationship is testified to by stories, memories, and places of devotion, which also associate his presence with several episodes set in the city of Bari. The Puglian region thus becomes an integral part of a story that intertwines the grand history of Christian spirituality with local memory and identity.

Alongside Tiziana Schiavarelli, a large cast of performers will help bring the production’s characters and situations to life. Appearing on stage will be Felice Alloggio, Alessandro Angiuli, Teresa Angiulli, Francesca D’Errico, Antonello D’Onofrio, Claudio Giovanniello, Serena Laguaragnella, Vincenzo Maiorano, Elisa Manzari, Marco Matarrese, Fabio Palladino, Gennaro Santoro, Elda Schena, and Eugenio Turi. Adding further distinction to the production will be the participation of Dante Marmone, a much-loved figure in Puglian theatre and comedy. Vito Signorile, another leading figure on Bari’s theatre scene, will lend his voice to the «Canticle of the Creatures», one of the foundational texts of Italian literature, in which Francis celebrates the beauty of creation and universal fraternity.

The artistic team includes Antonello D’Onofrio as assistant director, Fabrizio Abbatepaolo for the costumes, and Claudio Giovanniello for the music and, together with Gabriele Litti, the digital scenery. This visual and sound design has been conceived to accompany the narrative, connecting the historical setting with contemporary sensibilities.

But «Francis: One Foot in the Past and His Gaze toward the Future» will be more than an opportunity for entertainment and reflection. The project also has a specific charitable purpose, translating the Franciscan values presented on stage into a concrete act of solidarity.

The proceeds from Friday, November 20’s performance will be donated to the Holy Land, to support the people and communities experiencing particularly severe hardship. The proceeds from the performances on Saturday, November 21, and Sunday, November 22, will instead be donated to Franciscan charitable works, in support of the most vulnerable individuals and communities.

This choice reinforces the significance of the initiative, bringing together the language of theatre, social commitment, and the testimony of a spirituality that does not end with words but is expressed through care for others. The audience will therefore be invited not only to attend a performance but also to contribute directly to two important charitable causes.

Tickets for all three performances, each beginning at 8:30 p.m., can be purchased through the VivaTicket system. For information, please contact the Teatro AncheCinema box office at 329 6499552.
Web: anchecinema.com/