La distanza: commedia in tre atti

In a modest teaching room of a small Piedmont town, a nervous yet fiery professor gathers his colleagues and a young teacher for a heated discussion about the state of public education. Del Basso—over‑confident, bearded and constantly gesturing—launches a tirade against ministers, outdated curricula, and the endless parade of useless subjects. His outbursts are matched by the sharp‑tongued Giliardi and the impeccably dressed Cappelli, who bring a contrasting calm to the chaos.

The play crackles with rapid wordplay, as Del Basso champions the exclusive teaching of modern foreign tongues while dismissing Latin, natural history, and even the study of birds as trivial. Through witty exchanges the characters expose the absurdities of bureaucracy, the clash between idealism and pragmatism, and the lingering pretensions of a society that still values rhetoric over practicality. All of this is wrapped in a light‑hearted, almost farcical rhythm that hints at larger social tensions without ever losing its comedic sparkle.