«Me in the audience at Grillo’s. We will talk about a philosophical bible at dinner»- Corriere.it

«I know Beppe Grillo for many years, we have done cabaret together, we met in Rome in the early eighties when he was preparing to act in the film Looking for Jesus by Comencini. We lived in the same hotel, the Lord Byron. Thus, I was happy to see him again in Milan, to accept the invitation to attend his return to the scene ».

Renato Pozzetto he is surprised by the attention his presence at the performance has attracted. Cricket author and actor in I am the Worst. Subtitle: «The show of revelations».

So? What revelations for the viewer?
“Well, it was a curious experience. A text seasoned with Beppe’s humor, satire, focused on various interesting contents. Grillo is trying his hand at a new front. He speaks of the “Church of Elsewhere” which is based on a rather complicated philosophy to refer to here. I think he’s working on a kind of philosophical bible, something to help you face life better. It is an invitation to serenity, for those who are already well as for those who struggle more».

Grillo seems more interested in the soul, in the interiority of the individual. Is it a real change of course?
«Yes, he speaks very little of his political experience, only minimal hints. Rather, he explores issues concerning lifestyles and the sense of doing of all of us. They are profound reflections, regardless of a full or partial sharing. So much so that I suggested he combine the show with a brochure that contains the principles of his thoughts on him, even in a synthetic way. Precisely to give each spectator the opportunity to go back to the concepts he expresses, think about them, deepen with the time necessary to do so ».

Marveled at not listening to political speeches?
«Look, I don’t want to talk about politics at all, it doesn’t interest me, it has never interested me. My parents lived in Gemonio, where Umberto Bossi also lived. I didn’t even know. One day, years ago, I got on a plane to Rome where I had to shoot a film. Bossi, who was also on that flight, approaches me and says: “We are compatriots”. Explaining to me that he lived in the town I had always visited. That’s all. Never been a Northern League. Still, that simple logistical coincidence generated a lot of absurd speculation. So, if you want, let’s talk about Grillo’s show, I’ll gladly do it. Nothing else.”

Agree. Simply, dealing with Grillo, did you expect a theatrical text like the one he heard?
«I did not imagine that he talked about politics in the theater. He is witty, always intelligent. It seemed to me a truly new show, which I continued to discuss with some friends in the room, precisely because of the complexity of the contents. For me it was above all a pleasure to meet Beppe after a long time. Years ago the hypothesis arose that he could come to Milan for the reopening of the Teatro Lirico, then the project vanished due to the pandemic. I invited him to dinner after the show but he had to go back to Genoa to continue his tour. So we spoke on the phone the next morning, promising to meet soon, perhaps with our legs under the table, to chat more calmly about what he thinks and says ».