Some evenings in Barletta begin with the sea breeze on the promenade and end under the lights of a theatre. Scandalo, a prose production with Anna Valle and Gianmarco Saurino, promises exactly that kind of night on Puglia's Adriatic coast.
A title that makes you curious
One word, a lot of expectation. Scandalo is the kind of title that gets people talking before the curtain even rises.
This is a spoken-word production, with no orchestra and no spectacle to hide behind. Everything rests on the actors, their timing and the silences between lines.
Two actors, one stage
Anna Valle and Gianmarco Saurino are familiar faces from Italian television and theatre. Seeing them live is a different experience from watching them on a screen.
In prose theatre you notice small things. A glance, a breath, a pause that lasts a second too long. That is where the pleasure lies.
- Close-up acting: every gesture is visible, even from the upper tiers
- Live tension: no retakes, no editing, just the room holding its breath
- Shared reactions: laughter and silence travel across the whole audience
- The final applause, which in a southern Italian theatre is always warm and generous
The setting: Teatro Curci
Teatro Curci is one of the cultural landmarks of Barletta. Arriving a little early lets you take in the foyer, the ornate hall and the buzz of people finding their seats.
It is an intimate, old-fashioned kind of theatre, where the audience feels close to the stage. It suits a date night just as well as an evening with friends.
Make a whole evening of it
Barletta rewards those who arrive in the afternoon. Walk the old centre first, then plan dinner around the show.
- Stand in front of the Colosso, the giant bronze statue that is the city's emblem
- Visit the Castello Svevo and its wide bastions as the light softens
- Look into the Cantina della Sfida, tied to the famous Disfida di Barletta
- Enjoy fresh seafood or a plate of local orecchiette before curtain time
Afterwards, a glass of Nero di Troia in a quiet bar is a good way to talk through the ending. Trani, with its cathedral by the sea, is a short drive away if you want to extend the trip into the next day.
Little tips for theatre night
Dress smart-casual, since a night at the theatre in Puglia still carries a touch of ceremony. Evenings can turn cool near the coast, so bring a light layer for the walk back.
Check the website or social page linked on this page for the latest details on the date and tickets. Then take your seat and let Scandalo do the rest.