Gabriele Cirilli: «Taranto is not just former Ilva”

«I always return to Taranto willingly and every time I find it improved: this city is not only former Ilva, but above all it is a fertile territory for the growth of cultural realities and for the birth of artistic personalities capable of making their way in the world of entertainment. And not only. This is also proven by the fact that among my staff, among my authors, one is from Taranto…

I return to Taranto because in this city, in recent years, I presented a show that little represented me, unlike the current one where there is a complaint, there is a lot of laughter and during which I vent and make public all my “Nun te regg plus” starting from social media, call centers and much more”: Gabriele is speaking Cirillireached by us by telephone a few days before the staging at the Orfeo of his latest show whose title, “I can’t hold you anymore” precisely, it is a sort of homage to the great Rino Gaetano and one of his unforgettable songs.

One of the most popular and loved cabaret artists by the Italian public, Cirilli will explain what it means to keep up with time, even though it passes inexorably. A show which, due to the contents and themes covered, always with great irony, is considered the “wisdom show”between music and words.

From the stage she makes us reflect on the fact that it is impossible to separate ourselves from the past. Knowledge, professionalism, work: how has Cirilli updated himself?

«There is a moment during the show when I state how absolutely essential it is to keep up with the times also because social media, today, together with the Internet, force us to do so. And I present mine to the public social managers demonstrating the fact that even though I can’t stand this new way of facing life, I have adapted and continue to adapt. I’d like to go back to arguing like we used to, looking at people in the face and not remotely. The reality is that we can no longer do without the Internet and all the information it contains. And many also think that success travels quickly only on the web.”

Do you hope, then, for a return to the past?

«Absolutely not, I use the past so as not to forget. I think we must maintain the same ethics while exploiting new means. There are professions – for example – that cannot be built on the Internet: study, reading and discussion are all elements that still represent, in my opinion, the foundations for total personal growth.”

How does the audience react when they discover the “real” Cirilli?

“Very good. At every stage I registered success. At the end people stand up to applaud me because this is, indeed, one strong show for content. I’ll end the tour in Basilicata after several dates in Puglia and many others around Italy, including that of April 19th to the Orpheus Theatre: I can, therefore, dare to take stock.”

In an interview given to our newspaper in 2018 he stated that he is himself and that he never doubles himself only in the theater. Yet his performances in Carlo Conti’s program are unforgettable: what role suits you best?

«The artist can only define himself as such if he is 360°: he must be able to try his hand at any role and television, cinema, dubbing, theatre, prose or cabaret must be part of everyone’s baggage of experience. I’m trying, even if I prefer thesmell of a theater stage because it is on those boards that you try them stronger emotions. The result of one’s efforts, of one’s work, in the theater is also immediate. And this makes it magical…”.

What have you kept to yourself in recent years?

«In the theater I expose myself almost completely, leaving out of my texts that personal sphere which concerns the most private aspects of my life. There is a limit that I do not intend to cross.”

The popularity, however, comes above all thanks to the passages on the small screen. Which version of Cirilli do you think the public prefers?

«Television is, clearly, a showcase like few others and, I must admit, it’s fun to do. It must be done, however, always keeping in mind who is beyond that screen: a public that must be respected. I face every commitment with great seriousness and I believe this is felt by those who watch me.”

In fact, this is the case: this is confirmed by the personal success that Cirilli records in the Rai1 programme, “Such and such show”, where edition after edition surprises with its unparalleled interpretations of male and female characters. And where he often doubles himself despite being neither an imitator nor a singer.

And then there’s the “The factory” projectthe high professional training school for actors and entertainment workers wanted by the actor.

«Training is important: mine “Factory” it is a school set up as the laboratory of Gigi Proiettwhere I studied – he underlines – In the world of entertainment there is a lot of space and a lot of good people. Some are luckier, others less so: we try to introduce young talents into the world of work after a personalized path. Some already work with me, for others I have produced shows. We believe a lot in what we do with seriousness, commitment and a lot of professionalism.”

The appointment at the Orfeo is, therefore, truly unmissable: there is no doubt that even the people of Taranto will appreciate it.