In this latest instalment of Matt's Chitchats, we’re pulling back the curtain on two of the most explosive and influential figures in 20th-century Italian stagecraft. Matt is joined by the eminent Emeritus Professor Joseph Farrell for a captivating deep dive into the lives, legacy, and sheer subversive power of Dario Fo and Franca Rame.

How does a playwright with zero theatrical background end up winning the Nobel Prize for Literature? And what happens when his work collides with the fierce, innate talent of a woman born into a legendary travelling theatre dynasty?

In this episode, we unpack the history, the controversies, and the craft:

• The Outsider and the Royalty: We explore Franca’s unique upbringing – debuting on stage as a baby and learning lines “mouth to mouth” – and how it contrasted with  ...