Poetry on Stage

Based on meticulous research in the archives of some of the most prominent Italian avant-garde writers, Poetry on Stage examines the literary and ideological climate of the sixties and seventies.

Gianluca Rizzo is the Paul D. and Marilyn Paganucci Associate Professor of Italian Language and Literature at Colby College.

"The copious literature on the poetic Neoavanguardia has long obscured a clearly necessary analysis of parallel experiences of the same authors. This monograph decentralises the anthologies that have now been canonized, and to which the critical attention is almost utterly devoted, and has the potential to inaugurate a more diffuse consideration of the understudied theatre (re-)writings."

John Picchione, York University, author of The New Avant-Garde in Italy: Theoretical Debate and Poetic Practices :

"Poetry on Stage adopts an interdisciplinary outlook that produces keen analyses that revolve around the issue of representation, mimesis and the canon of naturalism/realism, language and ideology, language and commodification, the body and orality, the function of the script and the role of the spectator, and literature and social-political commitment. Gianluca Rizzo displays an excellent knowledge of the theoretical issues raised by the neo-avant-garde and its theatre production, as well as diligent archival work and considerable critical skills. The result is a major contribution to this field of study."

Paolo Chirumbolo, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Louisiana State University:

"With meticulous research and outstanding archival work, Poetry on Stage displays a robust and in-depth knowledge of the history of the neo-avant-garde, and a deep understanding of its theoretical implications. Poetry on Stage outlines how the theatrical and literary movements were interconnected, and how they stood against a common ‘enemy,’ traditional Italian theatre."