That 'most fertile' writing ground

 “A theatre, a literature, an artistic expression that does not speak for its own time has no relevance.” – Dario Fo

 

Born in Italy on this date in 1916, Fo often said he was “an idiot” who just happened to win the Nobel Prize.  But “brilliant” would be a more apt descriptive title for the multi-talented Fo.   An actor, playwright, director, songwriter he was arguably the most widely performed contemporary playwright in world theatre during his lifetime.

 

A master of satire and irony, he grew up the son of a self-educated writing mother and day-laborer father who also was a traveling actor in the ancient Italian tradition of regional performance, lampooning local politicos and religious figures.

 

“When I was a boy,” he said, “unconsciously, spontaneously I learned the art of telling ironic stories.”  Fo’s writings – translated into 30 languages and performed worldwide – address issues ranging from dictatorial brutality to organized crime.  He especially found politics to be fertile writing ground.. 

 

 “Every artistic expression," he said, "is either influenced by or adds something to politics.”