A Corsican Theatre Troupe’s Unexpected Beginnings
Calvi,Corsica – On Saturday,October 14,2000,at 6 p.m., a small group of theatre enthusiasts gathered under the Saint-Antoine Oratory in Calvi for their inaugural session. The space was sparse,furnished with little more than well-worn chairs,and lead by a director who embraced a dramatically fitting name: Orlando Furioso.
From this humble beginning, “Ce Soo-là truop” – a troupe embodying the unique artistic and social spirit of Balagne – was born. The group’s origins are deeply rooted in a passion rekindled in Calenzana during the late 1990s, reviving a local theatrical tradition that had faded since 1914.
Orlando, a frequent traveler to Corsica via ferry, fondly recalls the “embryo” of the troupe. “From ther was born the desire for a permanent workshop,” states François Canava. The process, involving Dominique Bianconi and Pierre, encompassed what some describe as “Gubboria Dervule Derrecave” – a conventional Corsican method.
The troupe’s formation wasn’t entirely planned. A chance encounter played a pivotal role in bringing Orlando to Corsica. Tonì Casalonga recounts meeting Orlando in Vienna, where he was performing. “I met Orlando in Vienna, where he was appearing in a production. At the end of the show, he asks us where we come from. ‘Of Corsica,’ we answer. He says he doesn’t know…”
As Ce Soo-là truop celebrates 25 years of creation, its story serves as a testament to the power of passion, chance encounters, and the enduring appeal of local traditions.
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