The Italians

A home-grown comedy The Italians by Danny Ball is on stage at Belvoir’s Downstairs Theatre from October 23 until November 6, 2022.

The play’s central character is Joe, who runs a successful business, has a handsome boyfriend and wealthy future in-laws. But after clawing his way out of the working class, his plans take a nasty turn when his estranged cousin quickly visits and exposes an enormous family secret.

Cast members Jonathan Lagudi and Emma O’Sullivan interview each other about what they like about the drama and how it connects with their family backgrounds.

Jonathan: This play is heightened, action packed and full of big characters. Does it feel like like a Sunday lunch with your extended family?

Emma: Big time, yes, for me in terms of the vibe. But luckily big time no though with drama. Unless someone’s way too slow for their turn playing Scala Quaranta, then there’ll be drama.

Jonathan: You betcha. When my dad’s side of the family get together there’s like 30 of us, which can get a little loud…and a little wild. I love it though and I place so much value in growing up in that environment. My mum’s side is a fair bit smaller but doubly as loud, so, you can imagine what that’s like. Speaking of which, we both come from large Italian families. Do you find it has helped you stay connected to the culture and helped carry it forward into younger generations? 

Emma: Absolutely. My Nonno Valentino started the Trevisani nel Mondo Italian club in Perth. After he passed, it was then run by our Nonna Teresa and after she passed my aunties and uncles have continued running the club right up until the present day. For my brother and I and all our cousins, the Trevisani was a big part of our upbringing. And all of us had jobs to do at these events - at the age of twelve, serving a traditional four course meal to 250 loud and hungry Italians with all of your cousins was equal parts terrifying and exciting. Some of our events were region specific, and now seeing some of them continue with my cousins’ kids is really special. Witnessing my family actively facilitating these events for their community, and making sure all us kids were involved was phenomenally cool. 

Jonathan: That’s so special that you’ve all carried that on, especially over in Perth where you don’t traditionally think of Italian immigrants. I feel like in Sydney Italian culture is everywhere, and so many southern Italians specifically, so the culture kind of takes care of itself. Particularly in recent years I feel like there’s been a reclamation of Italian Heritage from my generation, and seeking out an active part within the culture, like yourself. Danny has made the process welcoming and receptive to each of our own cultures-within-a-subculture. For example, my family’s ethnicity is from Calabria/Sicily in the South whereas yours is from Veneto in the North, and they both can exist in the space as a reflection of the Italo-Australian diaspora. How have you found that process? 

Emma: Super fun - particularly with language. Throughout the process if I feel like chucking something in in dialect instead of in Italian, it’s been completely allowed. Danny snuck in a few cheeky northern Italian references which makes me smile every time I hear them, and I get to help in defending the name and reputation of Tiramisu on behalf of all Trevisani everywhere, which is rad.  

Jonathan: It’s been interesting as well with this whole Milanese/Siciliano aspect living within the play, represented in the Gaetano character, and the idea of how early Italian immigrants represented themselves when they showed up in this country. Whilst it’s also a comment on racism, it’s a comment on classism as well, you know? But it’s been really cool to see elements of Northern and Southern culture coming to life in the play through us all, I love it.  How many times in your career have you played a character your own age, of your own ethnicity in a contemporary setting? And do you find it a freeing experience as a performer? Curious and unfamiliar? Or a bit of both?

Emma: For me this is the first time I’ve gotten to do that. It’s freeing to perform and curious to reflect on. Rose and I are so different in personality but its super unique and to have a link to your character through age, ethnicity and also context in terms of the era. 

Jonathan: This is the first time for me too. How incredible is it? I never really thought I’d be given this chance, so it feels pretty special to play Luca when I feel like Italian stories/characters are few and far between at the moment in Australia. It stills feels pretty surreal if I’m honest, and I keep finding a lot of myself within Luca, which is always fun to discover.

If you could magically transform into any prop in this play, and got to perform a monologue from its perspective, which prop would you choose and why? 

Emma: Definitely one of the “vespas”, because they get to see the most action and get a full 360 view of the stage during the fastest parts of the play. I reckon they’d do a monologue reporting on the action that’s happening like a formula one commentator. 

Jonathan: It’d be the Panamax, 100%. It’s easily one of the funniest bits in the play – every Italian Nonna tried to force you to take their Panamax at some point, and like, you would never know where they got it from? Hilarious. And now for the big question - what’s your favourite Italian food, but more importantly, who in your family cooks it the best? 

Emma: Because I’m my Nonna's granddaughter, I’m going to say it’s a tie between Polenta and Baccalà, and Sarde in Saor. And because I value my life, I’m going to say my mum, Nonna and all of my aunties are equally the greatest cooks to ever live.

Jonathan: Polenta is such a northern choice! Love that for you. I was lucky enough to grow up with a Nonna who loves cooking, and let me just say, when I say nobody makes meatballs like she does, I mean NOBODY. And we’ve tried. They’re incredible. Shoutout to my Mum though, she’s a close second.   

https://belvoir.com.au/productions/the-italians/

Rehearsal photographer: Katherine Griffiths.