Luca Marinelli Brings Italo Calvino’s Cosmicomiche to the Stage

Luca Marinelli is tackling the challenge of adapting Italo Calvino’s poetic and imaginative Cosmicomiche for the stage. The production, titled La cosmicomica vita di Q, will be performed at the Teatro delle Muse in Ancona, Italy, from March 19th to 22nd, 2026.

A Journey Through Time and the Universe

Based on Calvino’s collection of stories, Tutte le cosmicomiche, the play follows Qfwfq, a timeless character who narrates the evolution of the universe from the formation of galaxies to the emergence of life on Earth. Calvino’s work blends science, fantasy, and humor, exploring themes of infinity, time, and existence with irony and lightness.

Creative Team and Cast

Marinelli directs alongside Danilo Capezzani, with dramaturgy by Vincenzo Manna. The production features a company of actors including Valentina Bellè, Federico Brugnone, Alissa Jung, Fabian Jung, Gabriele Portoghese, and Gaia Rinaldi. Nicolas Bovey is responsible for the set and lighting design, Anna Missaglia for costumes, Giorgio Poi for original music, and Hubert Westkemper for sound.

Staging the Unimaginable

The play depicts Qfwfq as a man who has forgotten his past, embarking on a journey through memory to rediscover his history – and the history of the universe. The staging aims to capture the dynamic and ever-changing nature of the cosmos, with a visual style inspired by the Folies Bergère. The performance eschews an intermission, maintaining a continuous, immersive experience for the audience.

Production Details

La cosmicomica vita di Q is a production of Società per Attori and Fondazione Teatro della Toscana, in collaboration with the Spoleto Festival dei Due Mondi. More information about the production can be found on Marchespettacolo.com and Corriere Adriatico.