Let’s imagine a photograph from the early 1970s: in the foreground, a boy preparing coffee in a bar in Rome. As a backdrop, a noisy humanity, which bears the signs of daily struggle imprinted on his face. The next image is from 2023, Circus Maximus. The boy has become a man.
Today he is 66 years old and is a professional comedian. Around him 7500 spectators who are waiting for nothing but his entrance on the scene. Ransom, ambition, love and anger are the elements of this popular fairy tale that has the protagonist Maurice Baptist, the first comedian in Italian history who will cross the threshold of the Circus Maximus on Saturday 22 July for an unforgettable evening. He is accompanied by the musicians of the Orchestraccia, 20 dancers led by the choreographer Grazia Cundari and the Gemelli di Guidonia.
Maurizio Battista in L’Aquila: three hours of laughter at the San Bernardino steps
Battista, how do you feel thinking about the moment in which the eyes of 7500 Romans, in one of the most symbolic places of the city, will fix on you?
“How am I supposed to feel? My wrists are shaking. Then, for me as a Romanist, the Circus Maximus is a doubly important place. Let’s say it’s a nice medal to put on your chest but I remain humble. I will do my best to repay the public’s affection.”
What do all these people expect from her?
“They expect me to continue being who I am: sincere. On stage, and also on social media, I tell my life story, everything that happens to me».
When you started working in your father’s bar at 16, how did you imagine the future?
«I was a shy boy even if I liked to observe the behaviors, the tics of the Romans. I worked there 20 years, in that bar. Then I grew up and anger helped me climb mountains.
Why anger?
“It wasn’t an easy game. Even in private life: two separations, many pains. The fact is that I always feel like the last, unsuitable».
How do you deal with criticism?
“I’m rosicone and touchy, so bad.”
In speaking publicly about yourself, do you have any taboos?
“No, I tell everything. I say my mother died at 43 and my father at 60. I talk about the judicial wars with my exes. I tell you that I have never enjoyed anything. I tell about my neighborhood, San Giovanni, where I was born, and from which I have never left. For this reason, the public feels close to me: I have no secrets».
Have you created bonds with some spectators that go beyond the performance?
«I met Angelino while I was doing my show at the Margherita salon, 15 years ago. It struck me the way he laughed, backwards. We have become true friends. He managed to maintain a good relationship with his ex-wife while he started a new life with his current partner. All the wives are pissed off with me, he manages to get along with everyone».
In the entertainment world, do you have real friends?
“Nobody. At my premieres I never saw a colleague. There is a lot of hypocrisy in the environment».
How do you choose your stage mates?
«In this case, I wanted the Gemelli di Guidonia next to me because they are respectful and talented guys. Then the 11 musicians of the Orchestra could not be missing».
Which actor of the past has best expressed the Romanity he has in mind?
Aldo Fabrizi. I don’t dress as a tram driver or a waiter like he did in the movies, but that’s the model».
Do you have any regrets?
“Well, sometimes I could have been a little less quarrelsome.”
The greatest satisfaction?
“My little girl, Anna, who is now seven, a beautiful blonde hippie.”
The age difference with his latest partner, Alessandra Moretti, has sparked controversy on social media. Did she suffer from it?
«They wrote to me about everything, because Alessandra is 30 years younger than me. We also experienced some difficult moments with her, as the public knows well (I tell my life minute by minute), but luckily everything came together again. She and Anna are my family, let others say what they will. Actually, I got an idea. Saturday evening, I will give Alessandra a nice surprise. In front of 7,500 people.”
Should we expect a marriage proposal?
“I can’t say everything, otherwise what’s the surprise?”
Read the full article
on The Messenger
2023-07-20 05:46:12
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