See you on January 8th, 9th, and 10th for the second edition of "Ab Origine," a historical reenactment of the plague epidemic that swept southeastern Bari in 1690-1691.
La second edition of “Ab Origine – Where it all began”, the historical reenactment with immersive installations inspired by the events that shocked the city of Castellana Grotte and the south-east of Bari during the plague epidemic of 1690-91, will stage for three days, in the streets and squares of the historic center of Castellana, a story based on manuscripts and documents that testify to facts of the time. At the center of the narration of the second chapter entitled “Jehoshaphat", there is the human being: the life story of men and women who suffered, loved, lived and actually walked the streets of the country during that dramatic period.
Considered one of the greatest examples in Italy of environmental theatre, or more precisely "immersive theatre", first experience of its kind in Southern Italy, From the Origin returns January 8th, 9th and 10th in Castellana Grotte, with the direction and artistic direction of Angelo Barone, the choreographies of Vito Cassano and the scenography of Emanuele Ricchi and Alessio Verdolino (Officina Chiodo Fisso), with the historical installations of Davide Gasparrini.
After last year's success, “Ab Origine – Where it all began” In this edition, larger and more challenging than the previous one, it offers a longer route and the involvement of a wider space.
The route will wind through the historic center where the exhibitions have been set up 5 macro-scenes, and 4 transitions, created by 100 actors, extras and organizers.
Four professional actors were involved: Giulia De Angelis, Marcella Jö Pirillo, Irene Alfonsi, and Davide GasparriniThe rest of the cast is made up of members of the Castellana theatre companies who also participated in the production last year.
It will be an emotionally intense experience because all the scenes will evoke places and situations experienced during the dark days of the plague: path of visit will start from Via Marconi with the first scene in Piazza Municipio, for end in Largo San Leone Magno.
Admission to the event, limited to 20-minute slots, will be possible over a period of nearly 4 hours: Monday 8th from 7:30 pm to 10:10 pm, Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 10th January from 6:30 pm to 10:10 pm.
The visit will last approximately 50 minutes and will be held in groups of 70 people. The event is free but reservations are required. on Eventbrite at the link: http://www.visitcastellanagrotte.it/aborigine
The show is conceived and directed by a young man from Castellana, Angelo BaroneBarone has collaborated with prestigious national opera houses, such as the Fondazione Teatro Coccia in Novara and the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto, and on television as an actor/chorister in "Fratelli di Crozza" with Maurizio Crozza and in "Adrian" with Adriano Celentano. Since 2016, Barone has also collaborated with nationally significant theatrical productions and medieval historical reenactments, including the Medieval Living Nativity Scene conceived by Franco Cardini, and is the creator of various immersive urban installations throughout the country. In 2021, he co-directed the show "A riveder le stelle," an original medieval laud with live music, produced by Mercato delle Gaite. Together with Giulia De Angelis and Davide Gasparrini, he is the creator of various immersive urban installations presented throughout the country.
«Ab Origine represents today, for Castellana and for the entire Castellana community, a profound work of rediscovery of the origins, rooted in the valorization of our culture and our traditions – stated the mayor of Castellana Grotte, Domi Ciliberti With Ab Origine, we intend to promote the artistic values of our city and our history. We are convinced that, after the success of the first chapter, it can confirm itself as an event of excellence and increasingly serve as a driving force for the key event that more than any other embodies our identity: the Notte delle Fanove. The Days of Fire prove to be attractive and capable of attracting the interest of the many visitors who flock to our city. We hope - he concluded Ciliberti is that they can grow more and more with the contribution of all the actors involved because only by networking and acting with team spirit can the conditions for development of such magnitude be created».
«Organize and promote in a few days the rich Christmas program of Piazze d'Inverno, an important event like Ab Origine and then immediately afterwards welcome the thousands of visitors for the Night of the Fanove – said the councilor for events of Castellana Grotte, Fabio Caputo This is a significant undertaking that requires the collaboration of many stakeholders. We are proud to have received such great support from everyone. The three-day Ab Origine event will take place over a 600-meter route, almost entirely within the historic center. I would like to thank the residents and businesses involved in the initiative, who will demonstrate their sensitivity and willingness to accept any minor inconvenience.
«We proudly supported the second edition of Ab Origine, because it is a representation that tells of our territory and our devotion - claimed Serafino Ostuni, vice president of Grotte di Castellana srl – Furthermore, Ab Origine confirms the Grotte's interest in theater, and in particular in immersive theater. The theatrical form adopted, which involves the breaking of the fourth wall and direct audience involvement, recalls the successful formula already used in Grave for Hell in the Cave, Dante's Inferno in the Castellana Caves.
«Ab Origine is my homecoming. And I do so by bringing together all the outstanding figures of our country and our region, such as choreographer Vito Cassano and set designers Emanuele Ricchi and Alessio Verdolino.. – commented the director and artistic director of Ab Origine, Angelo Barone Added to these resources are the people who have shaped me and simultaneously grown with me artistically, like Davide Gasparrini, Giulia De Angelis, and all the others with whom we created the format of the immersive installation, which also draws on elements of historical reenactment. All this to say that Ab Origine is a show that speaks to people in all its aspects, and speaks of my history, our history, but above all, the history and devotion of my country.».
From the Origin is organized by Municipality of Castellana Grotte and Grotte di Castellana srl, and is included in the program The Days of Fire promoted by the Municipality of Castellana Grotte, Grotte di Castellana srl, Committee of Patronal Festivals with the patronage of the Puglia region – in particular of the Department of Tourism, economy of culture and valorization of the territory – within the scope of The Puglia Fire Network.
The show is produced in collaboration with: Our Friends APS, Artinscena by Annalisa Bellini, Grocà Theatre Association APS, “Ciccio Clori” Drama Society, Smile Workshop,
Passion for Dance by Daniela Carbone.
