My Father's Masks

This project portraits the intimacy behind the scene of the play "Arlecchino servitore di due padroni", by Carlo Goldoni, directed by, Giorgio Strelher. The main role, Arlecchino, is played by my best friend's father, Ludovica. Ferruccio Soleri, 88 years old, has played the character since 1963. After 54 years in the same role, he has been mentioned in the World Guinness Records. The play is the most famous and longest running Italian show. Here I wanted to capture with pictures what Ludovica explained in words: "Everything I know about theatre I learned from my father and from behind the scene. I learned what Commedia dell'Arte really means and it means a whole world. Acting with masks is an Art. A constant dialogue between techniques and improvisations. You have to learn how to move your body perfectly and how to modulate your voice to fill the absence of facial expressions. Strelher once said that you are not a real actor until you master the masks."