Enza Li Gioi, an Italian creative playwright who founded a historic literary café in Rome
Enza Li Gioi is an Italian playwright known for her distinctive voice in contemporary theater. Her works often explore themes of ithe complexities of human relationships
Enza Li Gioi is a subtle and insightful voice in contemporary theater. Her passion for theater began many years ago when, in 1994, she started collaborating with the magazine Prima Fila, an important theatrical publication published by a press company linked to the State Mint. Since then, she has written hundreds of scripts. Today, one of her most anticipated projects, Soap Operetta, will return to the stage from April 11th to 13th at the Hamlet Theater in Rome, directed by Fabio Luigi Lionello.
Her first true theatrical debut as a playwright took place in 2011 with the play A chi gioverebbe, which was brought to the stage by director Mariaelena Masetti Zannini at the Teatro dell’Orologio in Rome. The collaboration between Enza Li Gioi and Fabio Luigi Lionello, a talented director and son of the famous Oreste Lionello, has given rise to numerous theatrical and cinematic projects. Their synergy has already resulted in successes such as the plays Sangue di strega and Emma B (a satirical reworking of Madame Bovary) and the short films Wurstel, presented at the Benevento Festival, and Rinchiusa, set during the pandemic.
Lionello directs Li Gioi’s words with a modern and engaging style, playing with the conventions of traditional theater. The performance represents one of the many evolutions of Li Gioi’s writing and blends different genres to create a "musithriller," a term born from the fusion of musical and thriller. Set in the outskirts of Rome, the play tackles universal themes such as the decay of elites, prostitution, transgender issues, and the struggles of living on the margins of society. Enza Li Gioi’s dramaturgy, while addressing dramatic and deep themes, stands out for its use of subtle irony and fresh, light language, creating a fascinating contrast with the situations depicted. The plot is inspired by a real crime event that occurred during World War II, but the story takes place in the present day. The protagonist is a fallen countess who, in order to gather the money necessary to fund her transgender daughter’s sex change, runs an English school where children’s songs are taught. This seemingly innocent scheme attracts prostitutes from the district where the countess lives, and from there, an intriguing, ironic, and, at the same time, dramatic plot develops. The music, a central element of the show, is entrusted to Maestro Francesco Paniccia, who enriches the dramaturgy with melodies that make the musithriller even more engaging, giving life to a unique blend of music, drama, and comedy. Music becomes the thread that connects the emotions and events of the characters.
Enza is not only a playwright but also an active promoter of culture and writing. In 1998, she founded the magazine Lettere, la rivista dell’Italia che scrive (Letters, the magazine of Italy that writes), which hosted figures such as Andreotti, Margherita Hack, Monica Vitti, and Mario Monicelli. The magazine, which also featured a column dedicated to theatrical scripts, represented a creative platform for Li Gioi, allowing her to explore the world of dramaturgy and culture in a deep way. But her commitment doesn’t stop there: she is also the co-founder of the literary café LettereCaffè in Trastevere, an important cultural hub in Rome. The café, which has hosted numerous writers and artists, is run with her daughter Costanza. In its early days, it was led by the renowned illustrator Riccardo Mannelli. It provides a stimulating environment for literary discussion and supports young talent. Over time, LettereCaffè has become a meeting place for intellectuals and artists, contributing significantly to the Roman cultural scene. Fabio Luigi Lionello will also direct the documentary LettereCaffè, un sogno di fine secolo (LettereCaffè, a dream at the turn of the century), dedicated to this multidisciplinary space.
Her first true theatrical debut as a playwright took place in 2011 with the play A chi gioverebbe, which was brought to the stage by director Mariaelena Masetti Zannini at the Teatro dell’Orologio in Rome. The collaboration between Enza Li Gioi and Fabio Luigi Lionello, a talented director and son of the famous Oreste Lionello, has given rise to numerous theatrical and cinematic projects. Their synergy has already resulted in successes such as the plays Sangue di strega and Emma B (a satirical reworking of Madame Bovary) and the short films Wurstel, presented at the Benevento Festival, and Rinchiusa, set during the pandemic.
Lionello directs Li Gioi’s words with a modern and engaging style, playing with the conventions of traditional theater. The performance represents one of the many evolutions of Li Gioi’s writing and blends different genres to create a "musithriller," a term born from the fusion of musical and thriller. Set in the outskirts of Rome, the play tackles universal themes such as the decay of elites, prostitution, transgender issues, and the struggles of living on the margins of society. Enza Li Gioi’s dramaturgy, while addressing dramatic and deep themes, stands out for its use of subtle irony and fresh, light language, creating a fascinating contrast with the situations depicted. The plot is inspired by a real crime event that occurred during World War II, but the story takes place in the present day. The protagonist is a fallen countess who, in order to gather the money necessary to fund her transgender daughter’s sex change, runs an English school where children’s songs are taught. This seemingly innocent scheme attracts prostitutes from the district where the countess lives, and from there, an intriguing, ironic, and, at the same time, dramatic plot develops. The music, a central element of the show, is entrusted to Maestro Francesco Paniccia, who enriches the dramaturgy with melodies that make the musithriller even more engaging, giving life to a unique blend of music, drama, and comedy. Music becomes the thread that connects the emotions and events of the characters.
Enza is not only a playwright but also an active promoter of culture and writing. In 1998, she founded the magazine Lettere, la rivista dell’Italia che scrive (Letters, the magazine of Italy that writes), which hosted figures such as Andreotti, Margherita Hack, Monica Vitti, and Mario Monicelli. The magazine, which also featured a column dedicated to theatrical scripts, represented a creative platform for Li Gioi, allowing her to explore the world of dramaturgy and culture in a deep way. But her commitment doesn’t stop there: she is also the co-founder of the literary café LettereCaffè in Trastevere, an important cultural hub in Rome. The café, which has hosted numerous writers and artists, is run with her daughter Costanza. In its early days, it was led by the renowned illustrator Riccardo Mannelli. It provides a stimulating environment for literary discussion and supports young talent. Over time, LettereCaffè has become a meeting place for intellectuals and artists, contributing significantly to the Roman cultural scene. Fabio Luigi Lionello will also direct the documentary LettereCaffè, un sogno di fine secolo (LettereCaffè, a dream at the turn of the century), dedicated to this multidisciplinary space.