Sabato, domenica e lunedi (1988)
Directed by Enzo Sirna
Cast
Rosa (moglie di Peppino)……….Carmela Briguglio
Virginia (serva)……….Concetta Quattrini
Peppino (marito di Rosa)……….Luciano Pinto
Rocco (figlio di Peppino e Rosa)……….Enzo Sirna
Federico (fidanzato di Giulianella)……….Gaetano Riolo
Antonio (padre di Rosa)……….Bruno Napolitano
Giulianella (figlia di Peppino e Rosa)……….Marzia Imondi
Amelia (sorella di Peppino)……….Lucia Conte
Attilio (figlio di Amelia)……….Carmelo Genovese
Luigi Ianniello (ragioniere)……….Mario Ambrosino
Elena Ianniello (sua moglie)……….Claudia Vecchio
Il Sarto Catiello……….Elio Raspa
Michele (fratello di Virginia)……….Peter Zollo
Maria Carolina (moglie di Roberto)……….Carla Scaturro
Roberto (figlio di Peppino e Rosa)……….Giuseppe Scaturro
Eduardo Scarpettaai??i??s great works for the stage seem destined to endure as long as we will be able to appreciate the fact that there is always the potential in every character and every situation for tragic consequences which can so easily and insidiously spring up from the simplest and the most innocuous of human events. A simple misunderstanding during the course of ordinary everyday life, in fact, threatens to precipitate humble characters into a tragic scenario in Sabato, domenica e lunedAi??.
A woman thinks she is being taken too much for granted and no longer appreciated by her own husband and so she withdraws in silence and ceases to show him that she still cares for him. For his part, her husband, a very jealous man ai??i?? who must really treasure his wife to feel this way ai??i?? falsely interprets this apparent change in his wifeai??i??s attitudes as a sign of unfaithfulness as he lets his irrational suspicions take hold of his normally rational and affectionate nature. Self-pride on both sides and a lack of real communication between them now finally pose a real threat to their marriage (and to any relationship for that matter). Rosaai??i??s and Peppinoai??i??s marriage has been a successful one until now, but they have reached a stage when they have to take stock of their individual as well as their shared needs. Years of struggling, of anxieties and difficulties to make a living and raise a family have taken their toll as they must now face the simple truth about each other which, ironically but very significantly, is communicated by daughter to father (in act three); this truth revolves around the essential need to communicate in a direct and truthful manner so that mutual understanding and respect my be achieved between her own mother and father.
The essential meaning of the play is that one should not be afraid to speak up especially when feeling tormented by oneai??i??s own misgivings or by other people close to one or even by social conventions. In such circumstances, one needs to find that rare kind of courage ai??i?? ai???SAi?? ma ci vuole coraggio!ai???, as Auntie MemA? says at the end of act two ai??i?? to be assertive and critical, when feeling that you are being suffocated by your own submissive or passive role in life. In other words, putting up with hypocrisy and falseness while true feelings – : ai???purity of sentiments, total honesty with oneselfai???, as Peppino says in support of his sisterai??i??s positive and resolute philosophy of life ai??i?? is a futile self-sacrifice when done simply for the sake of appearances or conventions or for the sake of feeling compelled not to upset the status quo at any cost. Peppino and Rosa must re-establish the right kind of attitude and contact which will allow them to regain hope in their own ability to control their shared destiny and make their life together more happy and fulfilled.
This is the simple yet touching message of this play which relies very little on plot but mostly on that sense of commitment on the part of Eduardoai??i??s characters to what really matter in life and to a more optimistic outlook on the life that one shares with others. In short, marriage, family, friendship and work are the enduring themes which Eduardo celebrates in Sabato, domenics e lunedAi?? for the zestful and spontaneous need which all human beings have of such things in everyday life.