THE PICK-UP mise en espace of the novel by Nadine Gordimer with

THE PICK-UP
mise en espace of the novel by Nadine Gordimer
with Fausto Russo Alesi and Mariangela Granelli
adapted for the theatre and directed by Serena Sinigaglia
produced by ATIR for Thesis/Dedicafestival
The Pick-up is one of the finest literary works in the prolific output of Nadine Gordimer which depicts
young characters – often couples, as in this case – who become the spokespersons for cultural and
political discussion.
Julie is the daughter of a rich family, while Abdu is one of the many penniless derelicts with no assets
and no future, crushed by a series of corrupt and inefficient political regimes. After escaping from this
harsh reality, Abdu meets Julie, and sees in her a person who has everything he has ever wished for:
money, success, opportunities and influential friends. To begin with, their relationship is based on a
strong sexual attraction – practically the only common language between two such different
backgrounds – but it inevitably degenerates.
Nadine Gordimer explores the foundations of love, delving into the problems inherent in the meeting of
different cultures and describing the conditions of those desperate people who live a life of doubts and
uncertainties.
SERENA SINIGAGLIA was born in Milan in 1973, and graduated as a drama director at the "Paolo Grassi" School of
Dramatic Art in 1996. She now works as assistant director with Gabriele Vacis and Gigi Dall’Aglio. Sinigaglia is the
founder of ATIR, an experimental group which brings to the stage classics and new works; through her work, and that of
the Company, she has become known as one of the most brilliant and original figures in contemporary drama.
FAUSTO RUSSO ALESI graduated as an actor at the "Paolo Grassi" School of Dramatic Art in Milan. He has worked with
– among others – Luca Ronconi, Eimuntas Nekrosius and Ferdinando Bruni. In 2002 he won the Ubu "Best Actor" Prize
for his rôle in Fausto Parravidino's “Natura morta in un fosso” , directed by Serena Sinigaglia.
MARIANGELA GRANELLI graduated as an actress at the Permanent Theatre Company Acting School in Genoa. She
has worked with Anna Laura Messeri, Carmelo Rifici, Fabrizio Montecchi and Luca Ronconi. She is currently working with
Fausto Russo Alesi, touring with "Fahrenheit 451", the stage version of Ray Bradbury's epoch-making novel, directed by
Luca Ronconi.
In 2007, Granelli was awarded a prize by the National Association of Theatre Critics as best emerging actress.
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