Paolo and Francesca

Paolo and Francesca

Paolo and Francesca

Paolo and Francesca

Overview

In this powerful retelling of the story of the famous lovers in Dante's Inferno, the intimidating warrior Malatesta sends his younger brother Paolo to Ravenna to escort Malatesta's new young wife Francesca to Rimini. She stabs Malatesta with a letter opener on their wedding night and refuses to have relations with him, but soon after becomes Paolo's mistress. When she becomes pregnant, she's forced to finally sleep with her husband so as not to reveal their secret. This triangular relationship continues for years until Antonia, Paolo's daughter by his wife Bianca, discovers what's going on, tells Malatesta and precipitates the play's violent conclusion. Dark humor, passion and terror combine to make this one of Nigro's very best plays.

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Cautions

  • Caution Intense Adult Intense Adult Themes

Details

  • Time Period: Not Applicable
  • Cast Attributes: Ensemble cast
  • Target Audience: Adult, Teen (Age 14 - 18)

Authors

Don Nigro

Don Nigro is among the most frequently published and widely produced playwrights in the world and has continued to build a deeply interrelated and diverse body of dramatic literature, employing a wide variety of dramatic conventions and styles of presentation. He has written ...

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