The De Filippo Brothers: Sergio Rubini at Teatro Cilea, Reggio Calabria

Teatro Francesco Cilea · Reggio di Calabria, Costa Viola, Calabria

4 January 2027

On Monday 4 January 2027 at 9pm the Teatro Francesco Cilea in Reggio Calabria hosts «I Fratelli De Filippo» (The De Filippo Brothers), directed and performed by Sergio Rubini and based on Maurizio Giammusso's book «Vita di Eduardo», with music by Nicola Piovani. It tells the youth of Eduardo, Titina and Peppino De Filippo, their relationship with their father Eduardo Scarpetta and the road that led them to found their own company. It is the second show of Catonateatro's «Le Maschere e i Volti» season: tickets from 27 to 39 euros.

Monday 4 January 2027 at 9pm at Teatro Cilea

«I Fratelli De Filippo» comes to the Teatro Francesco Cilea in Reggio Calabria on Monday 4 January 2027 at 9pm. Based on Maurizio Giammusso's book «Vita di Eduardo», the show is directed and performed by Sergio Rubini and portrays Eduardo, Titina and Peppino De Filippo before they became the names Italian theatre remembers.

It is the second title of «Le Maschere e i Volti», the 2027 season that Polis Cultura – Catonateatro stages at the Cilea under the artistic and organisational direction of Lillo Chilà and Luciano Pensabene, and it follows the season's opening with the Topo Gigio musical. The full programme is on the page for the Le Maschere e i Volti season.

The cast: Sergio Rubini with Susy Del Giudice and Marianna Fontana

Sergio Rubini directs and performs alongside Susy Del Giudice and Marianna Fontana, with Francesco Del Gaudio, Antonio Orefice, Angela Rosa D'Auria, Simone Borrelli and Emanuela Saccardi: this is the cast Catonateatro has published for the Reggio date. The script is by Carla Cavalluzzi, Angelo Pasquini and Rubini himself.

Music is by Nicola Piovani and costumes by Maurizio Millenotti. Susy Del Giudice returns to the same stage on Tuesday 23 March in «Benvenuti in casa Esposito», the comedy directed by Alessandro Siani that is part of the same season.

The story: three siblings before the legend

The show covers the years when Eduardo, Titina and Peppino De Filippo were not yet the figures who shaped Italian theatre, but three young performers sharing talent, ambition and a new idea of what theatre could be. It retraces their origins, their difficult relationship with their father, Eduardo Scarpetta, and the path that led them to found the Compagnia del Teatro Umoristico I De Filippo.

Through passions, rivalries, successes and a longing for redemption, the organisers describe it as the human and artistic portrait of a family able to turn hardship into a creative adventure: a journey into Italy's cultural memory carried by Rubini's direction and performance and Piovani's music.

Who were Eduardo, Titina and Peppino

The three siblings were the natural children of the Neapolitan actor and playwright Eduardo Scarpetta and Luisa De Filippo. Titina was the eldest, Eduardo was born in Naples on 24 May 1900 and Peppino was the youngest. Raised in the family theatre, they worked together in the company of their half-brother Vincenzo Scarpetta, which Eduardo joined permanently in 1914.

In 1931 they founded the Compagnia del Teatro Umoristico «I De Filippo», which opened on 25 December that year with Eduardo's «Natale in casa Cupiello». The company toured Italy with great success until 1944, when Peppino left after disagreements with his brother. Rubini's play tells the story of the years leading up to that founding.

Tickets, prices and where to buy

Tickets cost 39 euros in the stalls and the central boxes on the first and second tiers, 35 euros in the first- and second-tier side boxes and the third-tier central box, and 27 euros in the third-tier side boxes. Sales are handled by Catonateatro: online through its box office page or at the Kintya Viaggi sales point, Via Plebiscito 26, Reggio Calabria (Monday to Friday 10am-12pm and 5-7pm, Saturday mornings only). Information on 0965 301092 or WhatsApp 327 3518347.

The show is also included in the season pass, from 262 to 396 euros for ten shows. Theatre rules do not admit children under five, and latecomers are not let in once the show has started; in the side boxes, seats 4 and 5 are at the back and have a restricted view.

Getting to Teatro Cilea and what to see next

The Teatro Francesco Cilea stands on Corso Garibaldi, opposite Palazzo San Giorgio, the city hall, in the centre of Reggio Calabria. The Corso is largely pedestrianised and runs from Piazza De Nava to Piazza Garibaldi, where the Central railway station stands, so it is an easy walk from the train. The city council lists the theatre as accessible to people with disabilities.

Those who want more Eduardo can return on Wednesday 3 February for Il Sindaco del Rione Sanità, directed by and starring Geppy Gleijeses, on the same stage. For dinner before or after the show, see our selection of restaurants in Reggio Calabria.

Frequently asked questions

When and where is «I Fratelli De Filippo» performed?

On Monday 4 January 2027 at 9pm at the Teatro Francesco Cilea, on Corso Garibaldi in Reggio Calabria.

How much does a ticket cost?

39 euros in the stalls and the first- and second-tier central boxes, 35 euros in the first- and second-tier side boxes and the third-tier central box, 27 euros in the third-tier side boxes.

Where can I buy tickets?

Through Catonateatro's online box office or at Kintya Viaggi, Via Plebiscito 26, Reggio Calabria. Information on 0965 301092 or WhatsApp 327 3518347.

Who is in the cast?

Sergio Rubini, who also directs, with Susy Del Giudice, Marianna Fontana, Francesco Del Gaudio, Antonio Orefice, Angela Rosa D'Auria, Simone Borrelli and Emanuela Saccardi. Music is by Nicola Piovani.

What is the show based on?

On Maurizio Giammusso's book «Vita di Eduardo»; the script is by Carla Cavalluzzi, Angelo Pasquini and Sergio Rubini.

What time should I arrive?

The programme gives 9pm, while Catonateatro's box office page mentions a 9.15pm start: the time printed on the ticket is what counts. Latecomers are not admitted, so it is best to arrive early.

Is it included in the season pass?

Yes, it is one of the ten shows in the «Le Maschere e i Volti» season, whose pass costs 396, 343 or 262 euros depending on the section.

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