Play to follow Giovanni Pascoli and Robert Burns in afterlife

Glasgow Times

27-04-2025

A new production, The Badly Behaved Poet Society, has answered that unlikely question.
(Image: Image of Robert Burns) Written by Hilda De Felice and starring Lorenzo Novani and Mark Coleman - the play follows Giovanni Placido Agostino Pascoli (played by Coleman) as he arrives in the afterlife and is intercepted by Robert Burns (Played by Novani).
Burns gives Pascoli the offer of either staying where they are and writing poetry forever, or going through a nearby door where they could end up in heaven, purgatory or even hell.
(Image: Image of Lorenzo by Heather Longwell) (Image: Mark Coleman headshot) Speaking on the production - which was inspired by Dante's Inferno - Lorenzo told the Glasgow Times: "The play is so fun and we are really enjoying rehearsing it.
"The beauty of it is the different personalities and poetry styles of both Burns and Pascoli. It makes for conflict and humour. It's quirky."
The idea for the play came after Lorenzo was invited to Barga in Tuscany, Italy last year.
Lorenzo joins the list of Scottish-Italian celebrities like Paolo Nutini and Lewis Capaldi, who have roots in Barga.
He said: "Barga has a Scottish festival every year to celebrate the relationship and connection of the two places."
(Image: Image supplied) Lorenzo went on to say that when at the festival last year, he met the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Jacqueline McLaren, who was on a visiting delegation.
The Lord Provost mentioned to Lorenzo that a symbolic way to commemorate the connections between the country and Italian town could be to do a play about Burns and Pascoli.
It comes after the Lord Provost welcomed Mayor Campari of Barga to Glasgow in 2023, where a new friendship agreement was discussed.
Mayor Campari is set to return to Glasgow this year for the city's 850th birthday celebrations.
(Image: Image of Lord Provost) The Lord Provost said: "Both Burns and Pascoli are renowned national figures in their respective literary movements that continue to inspire and resonate with people, both in their native countries, and around the world.
"I am excited to see how Lorenzo and Hilda have entwined the poets lives and work to celebrate this legacy and the coming together of our cultures, in a modern context."
The sold-out play will take place at the City Chambers on May 6.
"I'm so delighted it sold out," Lorenzo said.
He added: "Selling a show out is always an afterthought because the first thing is just to write it. But, this sold out in 48 hours."
Lorenzo is looking at putting on a few shows of the production in September.
For more information, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/a-night-with-burns-and-pascoli-tickets-1298467785099?msockid=3195918e9ae56de30ccb822c9bb16cb9