POPE AND THE WITCH

by Dario Fo

English (translation)Original Italian

110 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Dario Fo was an Italian satirist, playwright, theatre director, actor, and composer. He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1997. In 2007 he was ranked Joint Seventh with Stephen Hawking in The Telegraph's list of 100 greatest living geniuses. His dramatic work employed comedic methods of the ancient Italian commedia dell'arte, a theatrical style popular with the proletarian classes. He owned and operated a theatre company with his wife, the leading actress Franca Rame. Dario Fo died in Milan on October 13th 2016, at the age of 90.

Reviews

[Alejandro Teruel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Farsa satírica frenética en clave de vodevil característico de este Premio Nobel italiano. La obra critica la posición de la Iglesia católica frente a los anticonceptivos, la droga y el narcotráfico, y su riqueza y poder.

El mejor acto de la obra es el primero en que el Papa (en poca velada alusión a Juan Pablo II) delira al confundir una multitud de niños con un complot de la industria de los anticonceptivos y termina siendo colgado al revés -poniéndose literalmente de cabeza- en pleno Vaticano por una bruja africana disfrazada de monja rodeado de cardenales y monjas que se comunican, conspirativamente, con walkie-talkies. El segundo acto es muy débil aunque establece el vínculo con adictos y narcotraficantes necesario para la crítica planteada por el autor, mientras que el tercer acto muestra las consecuencias de un acto papal inédito e hipotético al revertir su posición sobre los anticonceptivos, excomulgando narcotraficantes, proponiendo la distribución gratuita controlada por los Estados de las drogas, y repartiendo la riqueza de la Iglesia entre los pobres.

A mi me deslumbró la primera obra que vi y leí de Darío Fo, la Muerte Accidental de un Anarquista (1970), que sigo considerando su obra fundamental y de obligada experiencia. En el caso de El Papa y la bruja, en mi opinión sólo el primer acto llega a los niveles de hilaridad, acrobacia y asombro de la Muerte Accidental..., mientras que el tercero logra asentar la seriedad la paradoja trágica del rol de la Iglesia.

Interesante, pero considero que no está entre las mejores obras de Dario Fo.

[Dave Rush · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The message is business like usual!” These are the words of Dario Fo in “The Pope and the Witch”. Similar to “Can’t Pay…Won’t pay.” And “Accidental Death of an Anarchist”, Fo makes us wonder what side to route for. Is the church corrupt? Are the people corrupt? Who is the bigger sinner, The Holy Father or the Witch? Despite being a satire, and silly, there is also sad truth in the fact that we see from this play, institutions, despite their good intentions, are often rooted in evil. The witch, despite her supposed evilness, carries compassion and kindness. The Pope, while supposed to be the beacon of good, is in many way enshrined in corruption, chaos, and malevolence. The counterculture despite their supposed satanism are shrouded in trying to help the vulnerable and weak. Whereas the church, in light of its divinity, is in bed with a conman cardinal. Overall, the messaging is simple. Maybe people are imperfect and flawed, so we should offer as much grace as we do resentment.

[Marjorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this was a very strange play. However, it was incredibly funny. I'm sure if I saw it preformed live, I would die laughing. There were times where I was frustrated and confused but then I would just end up laughing again. Easy and funny read, highly recommend.