The World of the Play: Micro View

Location: Town of Castellammare di Stabia in Italy
Time: Midsummer (June 24), 2000

1. Spa Resort Town

Known as City of Waters - Città delle acque – Castellammare has 28 natural springs, with mineral waters characterized by different compositions and healing virtues. The springs gush out of the rocks of Mount Faito, and give life to two thermal spa[s].
http://www.summerinitaly.com/guide/castellammare-di-stabia-spa

This might explain the dominating presence of the bathtub in the middle of the set; the plot begins when Lydia arrives and immediately disrobes and soaks in the bathtub. Note that Mee does not provide the name of the town; he does infer that it is north of the Golfo di Sant'Eufemia and on the coast.

2. Violent History/New Press

Castellammare was built over the ruins of the ancient Stabiae: a delightful village totally destroyed in 79 AC by the violent eruption of the volcano Vesuvio, which buried even Pompeii and Herculaneum.
http://www.summerinitaly.com/guide/castellammare-di-stabia

Stabiae is about to be wrested from anonymity, thanks in no small measure to a local high school principal and one of his students. Large-scale excavations are scheduled to begin this summer on a $200-million project for a 150-acre Stabiae archeological park—one of the largest archeological projects in Europe since World War II.
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/stabiae.html

Mount Vesuvius looms precariously within view and occassionally produces tremors and earthquakes--an apt metaphor for Mee's retelling of, arguably, the ancient Greeks most violent tragedy. We'll be hearing more about the ruins and this ancient Roman town in the months to come.

3. Midsummer

Midsummer may simply refer to the period of time centered upon the summer solstice, but more often refers to specific European celebrations that accompany the actual solstice, or that take place around the 24th of June and the preceding evening. The exact dates vary between cultures. The 24th of June is a throwback to the old Julian calendar when the summer solstice usually fell on that day.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midsummer

The entire action of the play takes place on this one day (midsummer), which is also the longest (light) day of the year and a day of special significance to pagans, witches, and writers like Shakespeare.

4. Munchies!

[Biscotto di Castellammare are] Made with flour, sugar, pastry, vanilla, butter and water, have a typical elongated shape. ... Today there are already packaged and are sold mainly in the summer on the streets of the Campania coast, along with tarallini coated with sugar, another typical stabiese specialties.
http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biscotto_di_Castellammare

The summer nights in Castellammare di Stabia have some traditions, including the famous stuffed with Nutella staples .... Another specialty of the area, which can be tasted in many places we recommend, is the fresh watermelon, served by some kiosks with drinks and ice cream.

You can relax with a pleasant air of the sea, and above all enjoy the traditional dishes that always offer the famous caponata (anchovies, tomatoes, etc..), The Peppered Mussels, lupins and olives and finish with the legendary biscotti of Castellammare di Stabia, born in 1848, by its elongated shape. All these for cheap.
http://www.beb-bonnenuit.com/en/

During the course of this long, midsummer day, what refreshments might be served to the Greek visitors? Why not these biscotti along with fresh melon and ice cream?! Serving these would provide viable activity for Giuliano when he is onstage.

5. Gay in Naples

In many ways Naples is a conservative city: the family is very strong here, as is religion. However, there is also a healthy disrespect for rules of any kind and perhaps it is because of this that there exists a surprisingly tolerant attitude towards all things gay. This is not to say that the gay scene is especially out in the open, or that the city is overflowing with gay clubs and bars (it isn’t). Indeed the issue is often suppressed or ignored, and with children usually continuing to live with their parents into their mid-thirties, problems often arise.
http://www.footprintguides.com/Naples/Gay-and-Lesbian.php

There seems to be little reaction (postive or negative) to Giuliano's comments about his sexuality, exploits, and hobbies. Maybe this quote explains any seeming indifference. (Castellammare is just 18 miles southeast of Naples, the largest city in southern Italy.)

6. Gift Giving Etiquette

Do not give chrysanthemums as they are used at funerals.
Do not give red flowers as they indicate secrecy.
Do not give yellow flowers as they indicate jealousy.
Do not wrap gifts in black, as is traditionally a mourning colour.
Do not wrap gifts in purple, as it is a symbol of bad luck.
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/italy-country-profile.html

During one scene, Eleanor and Giuliano bring in many wedding gifts. We should be mindful of the color of the wrapping paper (and if there are to be any flowers onstage).

7. Bella Figura

In Italy, the philosophy of La Bella Figura rules the land, especially in the south. Bella Figura means “the beautiful figure” but is actually a way of life emphasizing beauty, good image, aesthetics and proper behavior. Italy is a place of grandeur and elegance and this is seen in the details. For example, even the uniforms of the Italian policemen, soldiers, and carabinieri are more stylish and elegant than those of neighboring countries. Even the road sweepers are more fashionable in their immaculate white coveralls.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/36469/the_italian_philosophy_of_la_bella.html?cat=16

Clothes are important to Italians.
They are extremely fashion conscious and judge people on their appearance.
You will be judged on your clothes, shoes, accessories and the way you carry yourself.
Bella figura is more than dressing well. It extends to the aura your project too - i.e. confidence, style, demeanour, etc.
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/italy-country-profile.html

How does this affect the clothes (and mannerisms) of the resident Italians in the play? How does Eleanor, as the English tourist, contrast with them?

8. Climate: How Hot?

Thanks to its particular position, Castellammare di Stabia is privileged by its unique climatic conditions: a combination of a temperate sea, woodland and mountain climate. In fact, the City is siteude in the centre of the Gulf of Naples, at the foot of Mount Faito (1.100 m.), on the road leading to the Peninsula of Sorrento. The climate is the mild and pleasent both in summer and winter. In the hot months average temperature is around 25°C, and in the cold months around 16°C. Castellammare di Stabia was officially definded "Metropolis of Waters, Climates and Sea" during the 13th Congress of Hydrology, Climatology and Physical Therapy.
http://www.comune.castellammare-di-stabia.napoli.it/vivere_la_citta/storia.asp

If the average temperature during "hot months" is 25 degrees Celsius, then that would be 77 degrees Fahrenheit, hardly hot by Texas standards. Alert the costumer.

9. Population and Density

Castellammare di Stabia has a population of 66.929 inhabitants (Stabiesi) and a surface of 17,7 square kilometers thus showing a population density of 3.781,30 inhabitants per square kilometer. It rises 6 metres above the sea level.
http://campania.indettaglio.it/eng/comuni/na/castellammaredistabia/castellammaredistabia.html

Compare with Huntsville, Texas: As of ... 2000, there were 35,078 people, 10,266 households, and 5,471 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,135.1 people per square mile (438.3/km²).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huntsville,_Texas

Don't be surprised if your Italian colleagues stand much closer to you than you are used to or even feel comfortable with. Italian personal space is smaller than that of northern Europeans and significantly smaller than that of Americans.
http://globaledge.msu.edu/countryInsights/culture.asp?countryID=59&CategoryID=8,1

So, Castellammare is about twice the population of Huntsville but about 8 times more crowded (438 vs. 3,781/km2). Our consideration of space (and personal space) changes when we consider density. Our Italian town really isn't so much great with sheer numbers of people but they practically live on top of each other. This must affect notions of privacy and intrusion in the play.

10. Cheek Kissing & Physical Intimacy

Italians greet friends with two light kisses on the cheek, first the right and then the left. Even if you're merely acquaintances, this form of greeting is usual, both on arrival and departure. When groups are splitting up, expect big delays as everyone kisses everyone else. On first introduction a handshake is usual, although not necessarily the firm businesslike shake other nationalities may be used to.
http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/manners.html

You'll also observe people [i.e. men with women, men with men, and women with women] walking arm in arm or holding hands in public. This often occurs in the evening, during a customary stroll known as "passeggiata."
http://globaledge.msu.edu/countryInsights/culture.asp?countryID=59&CategoryID=8,1

In this play, strangers become new friends. How does this affect the ways they interact physically, particularly when first meeting each other? I have also read that the lips never make actual contact with the face: they're "air kisses."

11. Gestures & Gum: Be Careful Not to Offend

Placing the hand on the stomach signifies dislike, usually for another person.
Rubbing the chin with the fingertips, and then propelling them forward, is a gesture of contempt
Contorting the fingers and hand to resemble the devil's horns pointed outward is an obscene gesture.
Pointing the fingers inward, however, is a sign to ward off evil.
Pointing with the index and little finger is a gesture used only when wishing someone bad luck.
Slapping one's raised arm above the elbow and thumbing the nose are both considered extremely offensive.
In public, behaviours such as gum chewing, leaning, and slouching are unacceptable.
Likewise, it is rare to see Italian businesspeople eating as they walk along a street. Eating an ice-cream is the only and perfectly acceptable exception to this.
http://globaledge.msu.edu/countryInsights/culture.asp?countryID=59&CategoryID=8,1

How the resident Italians in the play communicate with each other and how they interpret (and misinterpret) their foreign guests could be a chief source of humor in our production.

12. La Passeggiata

As evening falls and the harsh sun inches out of the your favorite piazza, an evening ritual is bound to begin, the Italian tradition of passeggiata, a gentle stroll (slow! think slow!) through the main streets of the old town, usually in the pedestrian zones in the centro storico, the historic center. Italians tend to dress up for passeggiata, and tourists are usually easy to spot in their shorts and fanny packs. Older folks sit along the route, nursing a beer or a glass of wine in the bar, and watching for things to gossip about; la passeggiata is where new romances are on display as well as new shoes. Passeggiata is especially popular on Sunday evenings. During the summer, some Italians even drive to nearby cities, the coast, or the lakes for a special passeggiata.
http://goitaly.about.com/od/italytravelglossary/g/passeggiata.htm

What do our characters do during their free time in the evenings. A passeggiata appears to be the answer.