The new production by Compagnia Finzi Pasca makes its national debut, Prima Facie, a monologue by Australian playwright Suzie Miller that tells the story of Tessa Ensler, a criminal lawyer often involved in cases of sexual violence. A shocking event leads the protagonist, played here by Melissa Vettore, to a profound reflection on the concept of justice in an often contradictory judicial system.
“Prima Facie” means “at first sight” in Latin: in a legal context, it refers to an event considered true only on the basis of a first impression.
The play premiered in Sydney in 2019; in April 2022, it was staged in London, winning two Laurence Olivier Awards for Best New Play; it subsequently appeared on Broadway.
Translated into 20 languages and staged in 38 countries, Suzie Miller's play has become a global phenomenon, sparking debates everywhere about the need for a judicial system that is more attentive to the needs of victims of sexual crimes.
Prima Facie encourages women to share their experiences and contributes to the formation of a support movement, involving the whole of society in reflecting on new perspectives in the legal field.
‘In Prima Facie,’ says Daniele Finzi Pasca, ‘I will not change anything of the beauty of this dramatic structure, trying with Melissa to tell, on tiptoe, a story that continues tragically to repeat itself everywhere and in a violently obstinate manner.’
