From October 23 to 27, 2024, “Il Milione. Quaderno veneziano di Marco Paolini” will take the stage at the Goldoni Theater. This captivating performance offers a unique perspective on the history of Venice, told through the eyes of a mainland Veneto. It’s a monologue that navigates through the city’s history, away from its postcard-perfect image, highlighting its many “gentle shipwrecks.”
Paolini brings to life the whimsical, absurd, and melancholic side of Venice, recounting moments like planes slipping into the lagoon, boats stranded by low tides, overweight cormorants, and comical Murano horses. The protagonist, Campagne, a man from the mainland, embarks on a journey with Sambo, a Venetian rower who knows the city inside and out. Together, they traverse Venice’s thousand-year history, from its origins as a city of stilt houses to its modern-day struggles.
The narrative, rich with imagery and humor, never directly names Venice but intricately weaves it into the fabric of the story. Campagne, embodying both Rustichello da Pisa and Marco Polo, recounts tales of islands, markets, and caravans, drawing connections from Venice to China, through Mestre and Marghera. The performance paints Venice not just as a city, but as an emblem of the entire Northeast, a land of villas and modern shopping centers that separates it from the rest of the world.
“Il Milione” is a blend of ancient and contemporary stories, filled with eccentric characters—squatters, tourists, and the fierce beguines of Venice—celebrating the resilience of those who continue to call this unique and challenging city home.
Website: www.teatrostabileveneto.it
Location: Goldoni Theater, Venice
Schedule: Oct. 23 – 27, 2024
