Ruskin Lane Consulting Autumn 2013 | Page 37

REVIEWS BOOKS The Hidden Theatres of the Marche Joseph Losey’s magisterial 1979 adaptation of ‘Don Giovanni’ employs a number of Palladio’s most celebrated buildings including his ‘Teatro Olimpico’ (1580-1585). This Roman-influenced theatre in Vicenza is lauded as the first purpose-built indoor theatre in Europe and proved an inspired setting for Mozart’s grand opera. and proved the necessary spur to (self-) publish this book. Most of the book’s photographs are by the author and the text is peppered with anecdotal asides and historical details, such as Mussolini’s propensity for 12-egg omelette with truffles. The book explores almost every aspect of theatre design, from procurement methods to Joseph Losey’s magisterial 1979 adaptation of proscenium arches to the iconography of the ‘Don Giovanni’ employs a number of Palladio’s stage curtain. It looks at the role of theatre not most celebrated buildings including his ‘Teatro only as a place of ritual and dramatic revelation Olimpico’ (1580-1585). This Roman-influenced but also as a societal structuring device. Here the Author: Ian Arnott theatre in Vicenza is lauded as the first purposeaspiring bourgeoisie sought to affirm their social Published by: Matador (2013) built indoor theatre in Europe and proved an standing by commissioning a bespoke theatre – ISBN-10: 1780885369 inspired setting for Mozart’s grand opera. which eventually matured into a ‘Teatro Price: £15.95 This fusion of Mozart’s music and early Italian Comunale’. The theatre therefore was recognized architecture also acted as the catalyst for Ian as an essential symbol of any civilized society and a Arnott’s new book ‘The Hidden Theatres of the self-confident reflection of its local community. The Marche’. Born in 1929, Arnott trained as an architect before surge in construction work was spurred on by an innate rivalry establishing the award-winning practice of Campbell + Arnott in between neighbouring towns which resulted in Le Marche accruing 1962. Although now retired from architectural practice, he remains some 113 theatres - the most intense proliferation per capita an Academician of the Royal Scottish Academy and recently secured anywhere in the world. Despite the intervening years, occasional a travel bursary to part-fund his newfound passion for Italian theatre wars and calamitous earthquakes, some 73 venues remain