Italian Play – Character notes
Laudisi:
Very eccentric and intellectual. Doesn’t have many social skills so spends most of the play lurking in a chair in the corner, painting, playing chess with himself (and occasionally Dina), reading, writing furiously and adjusting his glasses. Whenever he does talk, he leaps up excitedly, makes lots of exaggerated gestures and paces the stage frantically. His life mission seems to be to prove to the rest of the cast that truth can never be found (especially through gossiping), but when that proves futile he seeks to convince the audience, by addressing them directly and sitting on the stage to talk to them. Has a ridiculous laugh.
La Signora Frola:
Extremely nervous and sweet old woman. Not sure how to behave in front of polite society and so constantly wrings her hands, looks down at the ground and shuffles nervously when she’s in front of them. Desperate for them to not think badly about her but unfortunately changes her story a lot when in front of them.
Il Signor Ponza:
Self-important, pompous and slightly frightening man. Very dramatic, and when reveals information, likes to leave grand pauses before the truth comes out. Likes knowing more than everybody else. Extremely proud. Desperately in love with his wife, and so acts curiously tenderly in front of her / in the final scene.
La Signora Ponza:
A mystery!
Il Consigliere Agazzi:
Like Ponza, very proud and self-important. Also has a tendency to get slightly angry and raise his voice excessively. Very curious about finding out the truth of this matter – does not want to be left in the dark.
La Signora Amalia:
The most important woman in her society, she is grand, beautifully dressed and coiffed, and doesn’t answer to anybody! Very proud of her home and her family, she always behaves impeccably and finds other people to be rather distasteful. Loves to gossip and to reveal what she knows in a very grand manner.
Dina:
Very cute and excited about everything, thinks the world is one big game. Loves gossip, but gets bored of sitting down easily, so is always skipping around the room playing with things, reading books and distracting her uncle. Like her mother, loves to reveal the information she knows in a very dramatic way.
La Signora Sirelli:
Quite a silly woman, loves fashion, parties and (of course) gossip. Giggles at everything, likes to flirt with male company and attract attention. Constantly fiddling with her hat, her hair, or her gloves, and is too stupid to understand intellectual conversation!
Il Signor Sirelli:
Another self-important man, but one who doesn’t have much control over his wife. Pretends to be extremely elegant and wordly, but doesn’t quite command respect like Agazzi and Ponza. Because of this, he hates to be mocked, and likes to get to the truth of the matter quite quickly, so he can appear more intelligent than everyone else.
La Signora Cini:
Very religious and uptight, doesn’t like to really mix with other people. Looks down her nose at everybody, has excellent posture and always behaves ‘properly’. Like the others, loves gossip but has no sympathy for the people involved.
Il Prefetto:
A nice, kind man, but a bit confused, especially as the case he is involved in is so complicated! Tries to always be fair and just.
Il Cameriere:
Old-fashioned servant, extremely respectful and efficient. Doesn’t understand Laudisi at all.
