“Several Love’s Request” Explores Male Desires at Florence’s Materia Prima Festival

Florence, Italy – The 13th Materia Prima Festival will host the Tuscan premiere of “Several Love’s Request” on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 9:00 PM at the Teatro Cantiere Florida. The performance is a performative investigation into male erotic and romantic desires, created by and starring LGBTQIA+ activist Pietro Turano, known for his role in SKAM Italia, and actor and director Pietro Angelini.

Delving into Digital Intimacy

“Several Love’s Request” stems from an exploration of online video chat platforms, spaces the creators describe as having become “modern digital cruising” grounds. The performance examines the impulses, vulnerabilities, and unspoken needs revealed in fleeting connections between strangers online.

From Screen to Stage

Angelini and Turano explain that the performance begins with their research and the projection of collected audiovisual material. However, the dramaturgical path shifts away from the screen, aiming to reclaim the physicality of the body—a dimension often lost in digital interactions. They note the tendency to separate online and offline life as a “problematic misunderstanding,” emphasizing that online experiences are exceptionally real, albeit operating under different dynamics of presence and absence. Observing how individuals present themselves online prompts questions about needs that remain unexpressed in face-to-face interactions.

Materia Prima Festival Focus on Accessibility

The Materia Prima Festival, running from March 4 to April 14, 2026, emphasizes inclusivity and accessibility in the performing arts. The festival features productions in Italian Sign Language (LIS) and aims to create a welcoming environment for all audience members. This year’s festival also includes performances by Eugenio Barba, Muta Imago, and Babilonia Teatri, among others.