Mario Pirovano

Mario Pirovano grew up in Pregnana Milanese, a village just outside Milan. His father was a shoemaker and his mother a factory worker. At the age of 12, he worked in a shop and at 24 he moved to England where he lived and worked for a decade. In 1983, he met Dario Fo and Franca Rame at a performance of Mistero Buffo at the Riverside Studios in London,Jessica Cribiù, Pregnana-Londra, andata e ritorno, Intervista a Mario Pirovano, Pregnana informazione, settembre 2009 an experience which inspired him to begin working in the theatre himself. Pirovano has been married twice, he now lives in Umbria and has two children.

After meeting with Dario Fo and Franca Rame, Pirovano joined their acting company as a translator, walk-on performer, electrical assistant, stagehand, editorial material distribution manager, stage manager and assistant director. In the subsequent years, he followed the two actors on their international tours while collaborating with their son Jacopo Fo at the Free University of Alcatraz in Gubbio. After many years of working with, for and under the two actors, he became well-versed in their texts and acting rules. In 1992 he debuted his solo show, 'Mistero Buffo'.Fulvio Paloscia, Ecco Pirovano, l'uomo venuto da Fo, La Repubblica, 8 Agosto 1993

Both in Italy and abroad, he has performed some of the most famous Dario Fo monologues.[http://www.archivio.francarame.it/scheda.asp?id=009856&from=1&descrizione=MIBU Centro sociale S.G.A. di Arese, 1997]{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}[https://web.archive.org/web/20120120080407/http://www.teatrocarcano.com/it/il-teatro/archivio-stagioni Carcano 2004-2008, 2009-2011] Besides Fo's plays, he has performed some texts from other authors: in 2001, he performed 'Vino divino' by Marco Paoli,[http://marcopaoli.beepworld.it/curriculum.htm Vino divino of Marco Paoli] in 2003, Le jeu de Robin et Marion[http://www.narnionline.com/index.php?act=news&id=347 Le jeu de Robin et Marion] by Adam de la Halle, and in 2005, The pope cowboy: life, adventures and battles of Julius II by Marco Ghelardi.PrimaFila, Rassegna stampa, Giulio II: protagonista in teatro di un pezzo di storia, Marzo 2004 {{cite web|url=http://www.cattivimaestri.it/stampa_18.htm |title=Rassegna stampa |accessdate=2012-10-06 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013135436/http://www.cattivimaestri.it/stampa_18.htm |archivedate=2013-10-13 }} More recently, he has been performing choice verses from contemporary poets.[http://www.tafter.it/2010/11/10/milano-mostra-collezione-7x11-la-poesia-degli-artisti-dall11-al-19-novembre/ Collection 7x11, the poetry of the artists] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120408064434/http://www.tafter.it/2010/11/10/milano-mostra-collezione-7x11-la-poesia-degli-artisti-dall11-al-19-novembre/ |date=2012-04-08 }}

After the adaptation from classical French to Italian of Adam de La Halle's Le jeu de Robert et Marion, he began translating two of Fo's texts: in 2002, Johan Padan a la descoverta de le Americhe (Johan Padan and the Discovery of the Americas) and in 2009, Lu Santo Jullare Françesco (Francis the Holy Jester).Nicolò Menniti-Ippolito, Semprevivo Mistero Buffo: il teatro-icona di Dario Fo, Il Mattino di Padova, 28-2-2012 Both texts were originally composed in a particular language, a mixture of dialects from Padania and certain expressions, sounds and neologisms which are specific characteristics of Fo's monologues. In 2009, Fo's text on Saint Francis was published by Beautiful Books.‘Francis the Holy Jester’ by Dario Fo, translated by Mario Pirovano, London, Beautiful Books Limited, 2009, {{ISBN|978-1-905636-71-6}} [https://archive.today/20130127073716/http://isbndb.com/d/publisher/beautiful_books_limited.html]

In 2011, Pirovano translated an unreleased text by Dario Fo and Jacopo Fo called La ballata di John Horse (“The Ballad of John Horse”), based on the victorious rebellion of the American Indian tribe, the Seminoles.[http://www.jacopofo.com/dario-fo-video-story-john-horse-black-seminole-indian-mario-pirovano eIndian]

He has also translated into English four works from the Renaissance playwright Angelo Beolco called Ruzante, based on the re-writing of the texts by Dario Fo and presented them in Portugal during the European Union Grundtvig programme.Theatre Metalanguages from the XVI to the XXI century in Europe with Ruzante, Tavira, 10-19/12/2011 [http://www.eurodesk.pl/files/attachments/2c842a573a53449ba1163682b9c53662/call_Ruzante_PT_-_V5.pdf]{{dead link|date=June 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}

Under the patronage of the Italian Cultural Institute and the Dante Alighieri Society, Pirovano performs Dario Fo's most famous monologues all around the world. In the 1998-2003 editions of the Festival ‘Un puente, dos culturas’ in Argentina he performed Johan Padan en el Descubrimiento de las Américas.[http://edant.clarin.com/diario/1998/11/02/c-00301d.htm Mabel Itzcovich, De Italia a la Recoleta, clarin.com, 2-11-1998]ad’e, Festival Italo-Argentino. Teatro y musica un ponte, due culture, Giornale Regione Marche, 1998 [http://giornale.regione.marche.it/archivio/num1199/artcom13.htm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217224219/http://giornale.regione.marche.it/archivio/num1199/artcom13.htm|date=2013-12-17}}Ilda Cabrera, Los italianos no conocen bien la cultura argentina, Pagina/12, Buenos Aires, 26-10-2000, pag. 32 [http://www.pagina12.com.ar/2000/00-10/00-10-26/pag32.htm]José Rovira Collado, De Isabel, tres carabelas y un charlatán a Johan Padan en el Descubrimiento de América, pag. 176 [http://rua.ua.es/dspace/bitstream/10045/5686/1/ASN_09-10_22.pdf] Also in 2003, Pirovano performed the Mistero Buffo (Misterio Bufo) in Spanish for the Festival of the Commedia dell'arte in Alcalà Henarez, Spain.{{Cite web|url=http://www.artezblai.com/artezblai/alcala-de-henares-acoge-el-i-festival-internacional-del-arte-della-commedia.html|title = Alcalá de Henares acoge el I Festival Internacional del Arte della Commedia|date = 16 May 2003}}

In 2002, he recited in English Johan Padan and the Discovery of Americahttp://www.archivio.francarame.it/scheda.asp?id=027286&from=1&descrizione=JOHA {{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} at Riverside Studios in London and then, in 2003, in Australia.[https://archive.today/20130108100204/http://www.archivio.francarame.it/scheda.asp?id=027919&from=1&descrizione=JOHA Johan Padan in Melbourne, Franca Rame-Dario Fo archives, pag. 1-3, 6-7][http://titan.csem.flinders.edu.au/pages/event/?id=31818 Sydney, Wesley Theatre, 28/10/2003] In 2004, he performed the same play in CanadaVancouver, Frederic Wood Theatre, 12–13 November 2004, archives 2004/2005 {{cite web|url=http://www.theatre.ubc.ca/archives.shtml |title=Department of Theatre and Film at UBC | Theatre at UBC | on Stage: Past Seasons |accessdate=2012-10-06 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022052950/http://www.theatre.ubc.ca/archives.shtml |archivedate=2012-10-22 }} and, in 2005, in France,[http://www.antennaitaliana.it/ita/eventi.htm Salon Italia 2005-L’art de vivre Italien, 3-5 Juin 2005, Paris] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619151959/http://www.antennaitaliana.it/ita/eventi.htm |date=2009-06-19 }} then in GreeceUn bellissimo evento culturale a Samothraki, Egeo del Nord, Lega italo-ellenica, 7 Luglio 2005 {{cite web|url=http://www.grecia.it/forum/viewtopic.php?f%3D8%26t%3D105 |title=Lega ItaloEllenica | Grecia.it - EllasItalia.eu • Leggi argomento - UN BELLISSIMO EVENTO CULTURALE a SAMOTHRAKI, EGEO DEL NORD |accessdate=2012-10-06 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217224619/http://www.grecia.it/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=105 |archivedate=2013-12-17 }} and finally in Hong Kong.[https://archive.today/20130414054326/http://www.hk.artsfestival.org/en/press-release/2005-hong-kong-arts-festival 33° Hong Kong Arts Festival]

In 2006, he took the Spanish version of Johan Padan to VenezuelaJohan Padan en el Descubrimiento de las Américas con Mario Pirovano llega a Barcelona, 29/09/2006 {{cite web|url=http://www.analitica.com/va/arte/actualidad/cdt/2559339.asp |title=Musica - Danza - Teatro - "Johan Padan en el Descubrimiento de las Américas" con Mario Pirovano llega a Barcelona |accessdate=2012-10-06 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217224339/http://www.analitica.com/va/arte/actualidad/cdt/2559339.asp |archivedate=2013-12-17 }} and in 2008 to Colombia.[http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/CMS-3921508 Barranquilla, 3° Carnaval de Las Artes]

In 2009, he toured England with the English version of Francis the Holy Jester[http://www.iicbelgrado.esteri.it/IIC_Londra/webform/SchedaEvento.aspx?id=422 Presentation by the Italian Institute of Culture in London] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217224151/http://www.iicbelgrado.esteri.it/IIC_Londra/webform/SchedaEvento.aspx?id=422 |date=2013-12-17 }} performing the play at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival,[http://edinburghfestival.list.co.uk/event/10000363-francis-the-holy-jester/ Edinburgh Festival Guide, 2009] where he received high praise from critics.[http://www.pigrecodelta.it/component/content/article/25-rassegna-stampa-anteprima/279-lu-santu-jullare-francesco-rassegna-stampa.html Press review synthesis on Pigrecodelta 2009]

In the two years following, Pirovano promoted "Francis the Holy Jester" in Palestine,Anche Luciano Basso e Mario Pirovano a Gerusalemme per Time for responsibilities, perlapace.it, 8/8/2009 [http://www.perlapace.it/index.php?id_article=3264] in Pakistan,Italian actor performs in an ‘afternoon for memory, The Express Tribune, 1/08/2010 [http://tribune.com.pk/story/33294/italian-actor-performs-in-an-afternoon-for-memory] Ethiopia,Settimana lingua italiana: Mario Pirovano ad Addis Abeba, agenparl.it, 21/10/2010 {{cite web|url=http://www.agenparl.it/articoli/news/flusso-agenzia/arte-e-cultura/20101021-settimana-lingua-italiana-mario-pirovano-ad-addis-abeba |title=SETTIMANA LINGUA ITALIANA: MARIO PIROVANO AD ADDIS ABEBA - AgenParl - Agenzia Parlamentare per l'informazione politica ed economica |accessdate=2012-10-06 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217224018/http://www.agenparl.it/articoli/news/flusso-agenzia/arte-e-cultura/20101021-settimana-lingua-italiana-mario-pirovano-ad-addis-abeba |archivedate=2013-12-17 }} Kenya,A Nairobi arriva ‘Lu Santo Jullare’ di Fo, corriere.com, 27/10/2010, pag.1-2 [https://archive.today/20130120025820/http://www.corriere.com/2010/10/27/a-nairobi-arriva-%C2%93lu-santo-jullare%C2%94-di-fo/] England and Ireland.Enzo Farinella, Lu Santo Jullare Francesco: una commedia da non perdere, Irlandiani.com, 21 Novembre 2011 [http://www.irlandiani.com/cms/index.php/Eventi/-Lu-Santo-Jullare-Francesco-Una-commedia-da-non-perdere.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205045032/http://www.irlandiani.com/cms/index.php/Eventi/-Lu-Santo-Jullare-Francesco-Una-commedia-da-non-perdere.html|date=2014-12-05}}

In 2012, he performed Francis the Holy Jester in Sweden and Norway,Gregor Flakierski,: En guda-benadad gycklare, Tidningenkulturen, September 17, 2012 {{cite web|url=http://www.tidningenkulturen.se/artiklar/scenkonst/scenkonst-kritik/12990-teater-den-heliga-gycklaren-franciskus-regi-mario-pirovano?format%3Dpdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2012-10-06 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217221642/http://www.tidningenkulturen.se/artiklar/scenkonst/scenkonst-kritik/12990-teater-den-heliga-gycklaren-franciskus-regi-mario-pirovano?format=pdf |archivedate=2013-12-17 }} then in the US, on an invitation from St. Bonaventure University, the oldest Franciscan community in the US.Tom Missel, Rousing performance at Bona, Olean Times Herald, October 4, 2012 [https://web.archive.org/web/20121116212126/http://www.sbu.edu/About_News.aspx?id=40150][https://archive.today/20130218184631/http://www.scoprinewyork.it/?p=7476 New York, Casa italiana Zerilli-Marimò] The American tour included theaters and Universities like Princeton and Harvard.[http://www.princeton.edu/fit/newsevents/ Princeton University, October 23, 2012]Nicola Orichuia, Mario Pirovano brings Francis, Dario Fo to Boston area, Bostoniano, October 20, 2012 [http://www.bostoniano.info/interviews/mario-pirovano-brings-francis-dario-fo-boston-area/]

Since 2012, he has continued to perform widely and conduct theatre workshops around Europe, particularly in Portugal, the United Kingdom and Belgium.

In 1988, he acted in a recurring role in all of the episodes in Trasmissione Forzata,[http://www.archivio.francarame.it/cronologia.asp?numPagina=2&target=Precedente&ricsemp=Pirovano&IdTipologia=&descrizione=&ricerca= Photographs of Mario Pirovano during "Trasmissione forzata"]{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} a RAI3 adaptation written and directed by Dario Fo.

He appeared in the 1991 thriller by Alfonso Brescia titled Omicidio a luci blu.[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102586/ Cast of Omicidio a luci blu by Alfonso Brescia, 1991]

Aside from acting, Pirovano conducts many seminars and workshops in national and international theatres, schools and Universities, including in Islamabad,NCA theatre sails through ice and fire, NCA Departement of Theatre, 8/08/2010 [http://ncatheatre.blogspot.it/2010/08/nca-theatre-sails-through-ice-and-fire.html] Nairobi, Free University of Alcatraz in Gubbio (Italy),Grundtvig workshop Performa-training Pathways for actors, 14-23 Giugno 2011 Tavira (Portugal),reference n. 13 Hoga Kusten (Sweden),[http://allehanda.se/start/nara/hogakusten/1.5116270-mario-pirovano-har-besokt-hoga-kusten-teaterforening workshop at Hoga Kusten] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217221707/http://allehanda.se/start/nara/hogakusten/1.5116270-mario-pirovano-har-besokt-hoga-kusten-teaterforening |date=2013-12-17 }} and Rochester, New York (USA).[http://www.rochester.edu/diversity/eventscalendar/?email&id=765063 workshop 'The art of Story Telling' at the University of Rochester]

{{reflist|2}}

• Marco Fazzini, a cura di, Canto un mondo libero, Edizioni ETS, 2012, pag.247 [http://www.edizioniets.com/Priv_File_Libro/1720.pdf]
• Maggie Rose, Sogni e incubi della ragione. Edimburgo, Hystrio, n.4, dicembre 2009, pag. 8 [https://archive.today/20130218153157/http://www.hystrio.it/numero/sommario.php?anno=2009&numero=4&arretrato=S]
• Mario Pirovano, La mia Umbria, Valley Life, n. 47, settembre 2008, pag. 28–31
• Luca Pagni, Mario Pirovano: attore di studio, Eventi culturali, febbraio 2007, pag. 90–91
• Tiziana Voarino, Giulio II: protagonista in teatro di un pezzo di storia, PrimaFila, n.104, marzo 2004, pag. 59
• Silvia Mastagni, Arezzo: luoghi nuovi per un teatro nuovo. Il teatro e il sacro tra cripte e castelli, Hystrio, n. 4, dicembre 1993, pag. 37 [https://web.archive.org/web/20070905133419/http://www.hystrio.it/numero/sommario.php?arretrato=S&anno=1993&numero=4]
• Maria Pia Damiani, L’attore, Trend professioni, n. 9, ottobre 1992, pag. 12-13

• Dario Fo
• Franca Rame
• Jacopo Fo

{{Portal|biography|theatre}}

• [http://www.mariopirovano.it Official site]

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Category:Italian male actors

Category:Italian translators

Category:1950 births

Category:Living people