Elena Arvigo in “ELENA” di Ghiannis Ritsos al teatro di Villa Torlonia

A Jewel in the Heart of Rome: The Theatre of Villa Torlonia is a timeless space filled with history (the Villa was once Mussolini’s residence), born from a tragic love story.

Everything here echoes myth, beyond space and time, in the architecture and unique decorations of this small theatre, inspired by an eclectic style. The Torlonia Theatre blends different artistic influences: the central structure evokes the classical era, the southern section with the greenhouse reflects Nordic style, while the halls and side apartments feature Gothic, Moorish, Greco-Roman, and Renaissance decorations. All the theatre’s embellishments were created by Costantino Brumidi, the artist known in the United States as the “Michelangelo of America” after his frescoes in the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

“And yet—who knows—where someone resists without hope, perhaps that is where human history truly begins, as we call it, and the beauty of mankind, among rusted iron and the bones of bulls and horses, among ancient tripods where a bit of laurel still burns, and the smoke rises in the sunset, unraveling like a golden fleece.”

Encountering Helen in this setting seems almost natural—her extraordinary narration reaches the audience with a truth deeper than any material reality.

This is the theme of the performance: Helen of Troy, ageless and in a timeless dimension, reflects on the futility of so many deaths in war, the fleeting memory of heroes, and the precarious nature of what we call history, whether victories or defeats.

Elena Arvigo in “ELENA” di Ghiannis Ritsos al teatro di Villa Torlonia

The transient, provisional, ephemeral nature of human conflicts and the relentless pursuit of material possession stand in contrast to the immortality of a feeling, a fleeting moment, a laugh, a scent, a sound.

Helen is an ode to freedom and resistance—against war, oppression, violence, and material destitution.

“Helen” is a poetic drama by Greek writer and political activist Yannis Ritsos, written during his imprisonment under the Greek military junta.

Metaphorical writing was the only way to evade censorship and communicate with the outside world.

The result is a masterpiece, included in the collection The Fourth Dimension.

Yannis Ritsos was the poet of the Greek people’s struggles and suffering. His resistance took form in civic poetry, evoking classical tragedy and the mythological universe of ancient tradition.

Ritsos was nominated nine times for the Nobel Prize in Literature. In 1975, he was awarded the prestigious Lenin Peace Prize.

Elena Arvigo brings this work to life on stage alongside Elena Arvigo.

Elena Arvigo in “ELENA” di Ghiannis Ritsos al teatro di Villa Torlonia

The play is part of The Unforgivable, a project that gives voice to women—whether mythical or historical—who were uncomfortable yet resilient witnesses of their time. Helen premiered on January 16, 2024, at the Teatro Out Off in Milan, was featured at the Taranto Festival, and was part of a retrospective dedicated to Elena Arvigo at the Teatro Nazionale di Genova.

Following the Genoa performances, Helen arrives in Rome at the stunning and intimate Villa Torlonia Theatre, from January 30 to February 2, 2025. Directed and performed by Elena Arvigo, with a translation by Nicola Crocetti, the play features actress and singer Elena Arvigo.

Who is Helen, then?

She is the catalyst—or perhaps the false flag—of the Trojan War: an immortal yet fleeting beauty, recalling the splendor of the past with disenchantment, questioning whether it all ever truly mattered.

Ritsos’ Helen is now a free woman, having broken the chains that once confined her to eternal beauty and youth.

In her memories, the once cherished values of the past now seem hollow, turning to dust, while the unstoppable power of resistance surges forth.

And yet—who knows—where someone resists without hope, perhaps that is where human history truly begins, as we call it, and the beauty of mankind…”

Ritsos restores to theatre its central role in classical Greek culture—a place of gathering, debate, political action, social exchange, and shared reflection aimed at transformation.

The powerful message of the play, skillfully guiding the audience into a timeless realm, ultimately brings them back to reality—like a sudden, dramatic awakening.

As actress Elena Arvigo declares, the performance is dedicated to all oppressed peoples, with a special tribute to the Palestinian people.

Thunderous applause fills the hall.

Cast and Crew

Elena (Helen)
by Yannis Ritsos
Translated by Nicola Crocetti
Directed by Elena Arvigo
With Elena Arvigo
and Monica Santoro

Set and Costumes: Elena Arvigo in collaboration with Maria Alessandra Giuri
Lighting Design: Luigi Chiaromonte and Elena Arvigo
Lighting Technicians: Victoria de Campora and Andrea Iacopino

Special thanks to Francesco Biagetti, Ariel Bertoldo, Mariangela Vitale, Mery Salvati, and Rossana Ferrari

A production by Teatro Out Off in collaboration with Associazione Santa Rita & Jack Teatro

### Performance Information

Venue: Teatro di Villa Torlonia
📍 Via Lazzaro Spallanzani 1A, 00161 Rome
📅 January 30 – February 2, 2025

🎟 Box Office Hours
Tickets can be purchased online at vivaticket.it or at the theatre’s box office.
Tickets can be collected up to one hour before the show.

📞 For information, call 06 44230693.
The box office is open only on performance days, two hours before the show.
Tickets for Teatro Torlonia can also be purchased at Teatro Argentina.

🕗 Showtimes
📅 Thursday, January 30 – Saturday, February 2: 8:00 PM
📅 Sunday, February 2: 6:00 PM

💰 Ticket Prices
🎫 Full Price: €15
🎫 Reduced Price: €10

**NOTE**
This performance is part of the “Le Imperdonabili” project, launched by Elena Arvigo in 2013, focusing on women who are uncomfortable yet legendary and real witnesses of their time. Through both journalistic and poetic acts, the project becomes a symbol and testimony of resistance, primarily of thought.

Ghiannis Ritsos (1909-1990) was a poet who voiced the suffering of the Greek people, their extreme poverty, and the civil and social battles of Greece. He fought throughout his life, creating civil poetry that evoked the mythical world of classical tradition. Ritsos, nominated nine times for the Nobel Prize in Literature, won the Lenin Peace Prize in 1975.

Elena Arvigo, actress and director, graduated from the Piccolo Teatro School of Milan, was recently awarded the National Prize “Le Maschere del Teatro Italiano 2023” as Best Monologue Performer for “I Monologhi dell’Atomica” based on Svetlana Aleksievich’s “Prayers for Chernobyl.”

Monica Santoro, actress, singer, and musician, graduated from the St. Petersburg State Academy of Dramatic Art. From 2007 to 2016, she worked at the Pyotr Fomenko Workshop Theater. She currently collaborates with various Italian institutions.

The performance, which debuted on January 16, 2024, at the Teatro Out Off in Milan, was a guest at the Taranto Festival and was part of a personal retrospective dedicated to Elena Arvigo by the Teatro di Genova.

#Theater #Elena #GhiannisRitsos #ElenaArvigo #ElenaArvigo #TheaterReview #VillaTorlonia #RomeTheater #GreekMythology #CivilPoetry #Resistance #DramaArt #StagePerformance

By Agata Iacono

Web Reporter iscritta Wrep.EU. Ha studiato Sociologia presso Libera Università di Urbino.

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