Anna Della Rosa Embodies Virginia Woolf’s ‘Orlando’ in New Stage Adaptation
From February 26th to March 1st, 2026, the Teatro Storchi in Modena, Italy, will host a new stage adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s seminal novel, Orlando. Directed by Andrea De Rosa and featuring a solo performance by Anna Della Rosa, the production explores themes of identity and gender fluidity.
A Poetic Exploration of Identity
The play, as described by Emilia Romagna Teatro Fondazione, delves into the “incandescent portrait of a soul in viaggio [journey],” following Orlando, a character who transitions from male to female over three centuries. The adaptation draws from Nadia Fusini’s new translation of the novel and incorporates excerpts from the correspondence between Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West, reflecting a deeply personal and loving connection between the two authors.
Award-Winning Actress Takes on Iconic Role
Anna Della Rosa, the recipient of the 2024 ANCT Award and the 2025 Hystrio Award, embodies the multifaceted character of Orlando. She was also recognized with the Duse Award in 2024. Her previous work includes performances in Accabadora, directed by Veronica Cruciani, and Erodiàs and Mater Strangosciàs, for which she received the 2024 ANCT Award.
Blending Biography and Literature
Dramaturge Fabrizio Sinisi intertwines the narrative of Orlando with the biographical elements of Woolf and Sackville-West’s relationship, creating what Sinisi calls “the most reckless love letter that history remembers.” De Rosa emphasizes the production’s exploration of identity, stating that Orlando is an invitation to “travel in space and time, to go beyond that fence that keeps us imprisoned in the trap of identity.”
Performance Details
The production runs for 60 minutes. Tickets are available starting from €11.22. A discussion with the company, moderated by Rita Monticelli (University of Bologna) and featuring Cristina Gamberi (University of Bologna), will be held on February 27th at 5:30 PM at the Biblioteca Delfini Sala conferenze in Modena. Further conversations are scheduled for March 1st as part of the “CONVERSADO DI TEATRO” series.
Tour Continues in Genoa
Following the Modena performances, Orlando will be staged at the Teatro Nazionale di Genova from March 13th to March 15th, 2026. The production features set design by Giuseppe Stellato and costumes by Ilaria Ariemme.