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THE SPLIT MASK
Italian Theatre Workshop

The Poetic Body Between Eduardo and Pirandello.
2-Weekends Practical Theatre Workshop Led by Ludovico Nolfi.

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Through the pedagogy of the Poetic Body and the principle of physical action, this workshop explores the body as the primary engine of stage life. Starting from gesture and raw impulse, we will develop the character's "mask" to immerse ourselves in the dramaturgical worlds of Eduardo De Filippo and Luigi Pirandello.

PROGRAMME
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WEEKEND 1 — The Poetic Body and Physical Action

An intensive exploration of the body as the driving force of the stage, rooted in Stanislavski’s principle of physical action. Through individual and group exercises, we will focus on:

  • Central Physical Action: Moving away from the direct pursuit of emotion and working instead through concrete, clear, and intentional actions.

  • Presence and Impulse: Learning to listen to the physical impulse from which stage action emerges, developing awareness, responsiveness, and presence.

  • The Mask and the Poetry of Gesture: Discovering how precision in movement, rhythm, and form can generate character and transform gesture into poetic expression.

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WEEKEND 2 — The Encounter Between Eduardo and Pirandello

In the 1930s, the encounter between Eduardo De Filippo and Luigi Pirandello gave rise to a landmark collaboration in Italian theatre history. Pirandello recognised Eduardo as an actor capable of giving body and voice to his philosophical and dramatic vision, entrusting him with a central role in their shared theatrical project.

Building on the physical work from the first weekend, we will delve into the intersection of these two theatrical worlds:

  • Eduardo and Pirandello: Exploring the relationship between the concrete, deeply human world of Eduardo’s theatre and Pirandello’s realm of the mask, identity, and the grotesque.

  • Gesture and Character: Applying physical practice to script analysis, drawing on the body and the five senses to discover the actions, impulses, and tensions that shape character.

  • From Theory to the Stage: Transforming research into performance through exercises and scenes, bringing body, voice, character, and mask into dialogue to bridge visceral Neapolitan farce with the Pirandellian mask.

AUDIENCE AND ATTENDANCE

  • Open to Everyone: Actors, students, beginners, and theatre enthusiasts. No prior acting experience required.

  • Language-Accessible: The focus on body movement and physical action makes the workshop accessible to non-native Italian speakers.

  • Minors: Participants under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.

  • Attendance: Designed as a single continuous journey across two weekends, full participation is strongly recommended. However, you can choose to attend just one weekend or join mid-course. 

  • Morning and afternoon sessions are treated as separate working modules.
     

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITY

The workshop will also serve as an audition process for participants interested in joining the annual theatre production, scheduled for 12–14 March 2027 (dates TBC).

Selections will take place directly during workshop sessions, with rehearsals starting in early February.
 

WHEN & WHERE

All sessions will take place at St John's College (Castlereagh Room, entrance via Northampton Street) on the following schedule:

  • Wednesday, 18 November: 19:30 – 21:30 (Taster Session)

  • Friday, 20 November: 19:00 – 21:00 (Taster Session)

  • Saturday, 21 November: 10:00 – 17:00 (Weekend 1)

  • Sunday, 22 November: 10:00 – 17:00 (Weekend 1)

  • Friday, 27 November: 19:00 – 21:00 (Taster Session)

  • Saturday, 28 November: 10:00 – 17:00 (Weekend 2)

  • Sunday, 29 November: 10:00 – 17:00 (Weekend 2)

Any schedule changes will be communicated via email and in the dedicated WhatsApp group.
 

ACTION

  • Registration: Sign up for the workshop sessions by filling out this form. Please register in advance so we can monitor participant numbers.

  • Contact: For any enquiries, write to us at arsinfieri@gmail.com.

  • Updates: Future updates will be sent via email and through our WhatsApp group.
     

COSTS AND T&C

Free Taster Sessions

  • The first session is free with no obligation on Wednesday, 18 November.

  • Alternatively, those unable to attend on the 18th may take their free trial on Friday, 20 November or Friday, 27 November.

  • Limit of one free trial session per participant. Regular course fees apply starting from the second session attended.

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© Ars in Fieri 2026

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