Liolà, based on an episode from It Was Mattia Pascal, belongs to the first Pirandellian theater. In this, (writes Francesco Flora) it expresses a world that has not yet been separated from doubt and that creates an illusion, a phenomenon, a game of subtle vortices.

Who is Liolà? He is a likable rascal, a wandering peasant. A boisterous man who sings and savors life.

Tutsa is the victim who, to punish Liolà, convinces Uncle Simone ‒ who has long complained about having no descendants from his young wife ‒ to acknowledge the child that is to be born as his own. But Liolà is also preparing his own revenge.

This is a playful tale but also bitter in its pure callousness.