
In this lively turn of the early‑20th‑century stage, a bustling ballroom in Naples becomes the backdrop for a witty clash of ego and imagination. When the spotlight falls on the flamboyant Armando, a celebrated actor forced into a monologue, his nervous banter quickly spirals into a playful duel with his partner, Tina, a sharp‑tongued actress who challenges his every word.
Armando’s absurd claim to have “invented photography” without a camera launches a cascade of absurd analogies—comparing his art to wireless telegraphs, horseback cyclists, and even love without a heart. The rapid back‑and‑forth, peppered with theatrical asides and exaggerated gestures, captures the spirit of a night where art, vanity, and humor collide. Listeners are drawn into a sparkling tableau of wit, where the characters’ banter reflects both the pretensions and the creative freedoms of a vibrant artistic community, promising an entertaining glimpse into the charm of turn‑of‑the‑century Italian theatre.
Language
it
Duration
~55 minutes (53K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Carlo Traverso, Barbara Magni and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2013-07-30
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1861–1943
An important voice in Italian theater, this Neapolitan dramatist built a wide audience with plays that mixed sharp social observation, emotion, and stagecraft. His career was celebrated across Europe, and his public opposition to fascism later gave his life story an added edge.
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