The Last Night Of Salome at La MaMa Experimental Theatre

La MaMa E.T.C. presents Istituto di Studi dello Spettacolo-Teatro Studio of Rome production of The Last Night of Salome, by Emanuele Vacchetto, at La MaMa Experimental Theatre from the 2 - 19 Mar 2006.

The Last Night of Salome: It's way past closing time in a dirty, rundown bar owned by Daisy, an irritable, middle-aged woman whose only amusement that evening has been insulting a stone drunk man--her husband--who has passed out at a table. Outside, it's pouring rain. A glamorous woman enters in a distracted state of mind. She turns out to be the celebrated actress Veronica Lopez, famous for her roles as the femme fatale, especially Salome in Oscar Wilde's play of the same name. By force of her star's personality, plus some cocaine and a shared bottle of booze, Veronica slyly insinuates herself into Daisy's confidence.

The two women bond over their shared disappointment with their deadbeat husbands--Daisy's is an alcoholic barkeep; Veronica's is a famous film director. It is all brazenly played out within earshot of Daisy's semi-conscious mate, and we get a fiery picture of the contrasting temperaments of two women who've been wronged. Daisy, who was never able to pursue her dream of being an actress, re-enacts a monologue she once performed at her Dad's lodge. Veronica enacts bits of her recent performance as Salome .

The play is performed in Italian with English subtitles.

The Last Night of Salome' cast, directed by Maria Luisa Bigai, features: Lydia Biondi (Daisy), and Carla Cassola (Veronica).

The production has set and costumes design by Natacha Tanzilli, and lighting by Marco Catalucci.