Closed theaters? In Milan, an actor tells stories to children in courtyards and gardens

How to overcome the fact that the emergency has closed vital spaces for children, such as schools, libraries, play libraries, and theaters where children’s programming is done? One answer comes from Milan, where actor Carlo Ottolini, who specializes in children’s theater, has launched the Storie a domicilio project: this is an initiative born in December 2020, inspired by Ippolito Chiarello’s “Barbonaggio Teatrale - Delivery,” and which has created the national network of USCAs - Special Units of Artistic Continuity, to keep alive the relationship between those who want to tell stories and those who want to listen to them.

This exchange, which previously took place in theaters, libraries, and schools, had to find alternative places where they could meet safely. Thus, in the strictest compliance with health requirements (spacing, mask and whatever else), Carlo Ottolini set out to find new places to tell stories to children: courtyards, gardens, parks, terraces, but also sufficiently large rooms. After all, according to Carlo Ottolini, even one spectator can be enough to bring the show to life (indeed: the sharing of stories in this case is more intimate, has less forcing because it is more direct and sincere, and the storytelling acquires lightness). And he goes house by house, garden by garden, to tell stories, for the price of a donation that starts from a minimum of 20 euros.

Thus, the actor rides his bicycle and delivers the stories to homes as a kind of basic necessity. Those who asked for them are hungry, the eyes reveal it,“ says Carlo Ottolini. ”The applause will then tell if he ate well. In fact, everything starts by flipping through a menu: Pinocchio, Odyssey, Fairy Tales, Myths and Stars, Readings... of what’s there, nothing is missing! Once the order is placed, we agree on the day and time. Then you wait and ... voila! The bike appears, the actor appears, and the show begins, as in a tiny, tiny theater. The ending is a little different: after the applause there is time, if you feel like it, to talk and meet. Before starting a new journey."

Carlo Ottolini graduated as an actor in 1992 from the Scuola Civica d’Arte Drammatica “Paolo Grassi” in Milan. In 2004 he was mentioned at the Stregagatto award by the Italian Theatre Board as the best actor in children’s theater. As an actor he has worked several times under the direction of Maurizio Schmidt, Marco Baliani, Maria Maglietta, Bruno Stori and Gabriele Vacis. He has also worked with Giorgio Strehler, Cesare Lievi and Daniele Finzi Pasca. As a director he has written and directed numerous shows including Beata Gioventù, dedicated to children’s rights. He has been leading theater workshops for all ages for years. And now he travels by bicycle, with a baggage of stories. For anyone who would like information just contact email rag.carletti@gmail.com or phone 3479544973, or go to Carlo Ottolini’s Facebook page.

Pictured: Carlo Ottolini

Closed theaters? In Milan, an actor tells stories to children in courtyards and gardens

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