The ambition of this work is to present as comprehensively as possible the landscape of contemporary Italian dramaturgy in Greece during the first half of the 20th century. The aim is to highlight the importance of this specific dramatic activity and its mediating role between the Greek and Italian realms for showcasing the cultural coexistence of the two countries, as well as to fill the gaps, primarily, in the history of Greek theater.
The investigation of the elements begins in the last decade of the 19th century and extends to 1940, a milestone date for the political and cultural events of Greece. In some special cases, such as that of Dario Niccodemi, Aldo De Benedetti, Massimo Bontempelli, and Pier Maria Rosso di San Secondo, whose works were successful even in contemporary times, the research exceeds the initial chronological boundaries, reaching into the 1990s.
Italian dramaturgy is of great significance for the study of Greek theater during the period under examination, as it provided the impetus for further artistic creation, became an opportunity for many actors and directors to find work, catapulted the careers of many leading actors and actresses, and served as a bridge of cultural communication between Greece and Italy, acting as a womb for the birth and rebirth of the domestic theater that was dormant during those years, and as a mediating channel between two historic - artistic periods: the last decades of the 19th century and the second half of the 20th.
In summary, the present study represents the first synthetic presentation of contemporary Italian dramaturgy in Greece from 1900 to 1940. It encompasses and analyzes theatrical works, their translations into the Greek language, performances, and criticism for all modern Italian dramatists who became known in our country during that period.
