The color purple has fascinated me ever since I was a child, but it was only when I grew up that it became the subject of my studies, even if just for a few minutes. I was 20 years old and I was attending university. Our Theatre History teacher made us attend a conference with Giorgio Albertazzi, a Florentine actor and an undisputed champion of highbrow theater in Italy. During that extraordinary event, we discovered the reason why the color purple is a bad omen for actors.
It all started in the Middle Ages, and it is strictly connected with one of the most important periods in the Catholic lithurgical year, i.e. Lent. Indeed, during Lent priests wear purple vestments to officiate mass. Over the 40 days of Lent, during which people are called to convert or to reaffirm their faith, and during which the Deluge and Christ's baptism in the river Jordan are often mentioned, special penitence was imposed on the faithful: fasting, intense prayers, abstaining from meat on Fridays, and charity for the poor. Plus, last but not least, theatrical representations and public shows were prohibited. That is where the superstition about the color purple in show business was born: actors could not work for 40 days and it was extremely difficult for them to earn enough to buy a hot meal.
In our culture, however, before Lent comes Carnival, a festival in which their is only main theme: disguise. An explosion of streamers, confetti, Carnival sweets, people wearing colorful costumes and floats. Streets and homes are invaded by fun and cheerfulness. The color Theatre is exactly that for us: an occasion to have fun, and to be able, just for a few days in your life, to play the part of Napoleon, Cleopatra, Totò, a cat, Pulcinella, or whatever your fancy. It's the opportunity to pretend you're someone else, not because you want to hide who you are but rather to expand your emotional horizon, acquire new perspectives, uncover unknown energy and conquer it. If you are dressed up as the goddess of the Moon, for example, the opportunity may arise for you to meet your very own Sun and influence the tides of your life - wouldn't that be wonderful? Do yourself a favor and give it a shot, color Theatre will certainly be on your side.
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