“Le Giullarate ” from Dario Fo’s Mistero Buffo

Giullarate were the performances that in the Middle Ages took place in the streets and piazzas throughout Europe and were performed by comic street actors called giullari (jongleurs, jesters, buffoons). The giullari would use the themes of the religious mysteries and present them in a comic, satirical and grotesque way, in order to provoke, stir thoughts and ideas, and help gain awareness of the condition of the people of the time. The show “Giullarate” was adapted and translated into English by Davide Borella from Nobelist Dario Fo’s renowned Mistero Buffo. The performance at the Institute, a one-man show by Mr. Borella, includes these giullarate: “The Birth of the Joungleur,” “Death and the Fool,” and “Marriage at Cana.” Mr. Borella was most recently seen in the role of Gabriele D’Annunzio in L’Innocente with the Ensemble for the Romantic Century at the Kosciuszko Foundation. Other New York theater credits include: The Italians of New York (The New York Historical Society), Idiots Delight (The Actors Company Theater), The Ghost Composer (The Neighborhood Playhouse), Ouroboros (The Century Center), The License (Miranda Theater), All Nudity Shall Be Punished (New York Theater Workshop), The Passion, Romeo’s Dream, The Idylls of the King, Pushkin, and Light and The Golden Slipper (Gad’s Hill Theater Company). Film credits include: The Pink Panther (with Steve Martin and Kevin Kline), The Fallen (Ari Taub), Luc’s Run ( Julie Delpy), Life is Beautiful ( Roberto Benigni), and The Scratch (Vitor Amati). Mr. Borella is a member of the Actor’s Equity Association and The Screen Actor’s guild.