That 'most fertile' writing ground

 “A theatre, a literature, anartistic 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 NobelPrize.  But “brilliant” would be a more apt descriptive title for the multi-talented Fo.   Anactor, playwright, director, songwriter he was arguablythe most widely performed contemporary playwright in world theatre during hislifetime.

 

A master of satire and irony, hegrew up the son of a self-educated writing mother and day-laborer father whoalso was a traveling actor in the ancient Italian tradition of regionalperformance, 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 languagesand 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, "iseither influenced by or adds something to politics.”