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Ci conosciamo già

 
Richard Beck Review by Richard Beck 3 Published: 4 Nov 2025 Piazza Scammacca 1 Show Dates: 23 Oct 2025-26 Oct 2025

Filippo Ruggieri codirects and performs with Patrizio Recchioni and members of the Mancanze collective in Ci Conosciamo Già (We Already Know Each Other) at Catania Fringe OFF.

A raw presentation of challenging material

It is a dark drama that deals with the consequences of drug addiction, criminality and the difficult road to recovery. It lays bare the workings of institutions and those who work within a system that tries to help people change their lives, and confronts the conflicts that can arise between what is permitted and what people of good will want to achieve.

Enrico is a social worker at a rehabilitation centre in Pescara that is notorious for having one of Italy’s highest relapse rates. But he is relatively new to the institution and has developed his own approach to helping young people recover from drug addiction. When a young fugitive seeks asylum, he finds himself placed in a position that risks serious damage to his career and the organisation. How far is he prepared to bend the rules for the sake of one person and what he believes in?

The five characters, though from different backgrounds, are brought together almost as a family, with varying bonds of affection and commitment to each other. Within the often claustrophobic setting, love and compassion face challenges to truth and even betrayal, as inner demons and ghosts from the past emerge and they reveal their own stories.

Each member of the ensemble gives a powerful performance and creates a focused and consistent character in roles that are clearly defined. There is room for some editing and perhaps a more nuanced approach to the text, which demands passion and emotional involvement but not always at full volume.

It’s a raw presentation of challenging material that draws us into the complexities of the plot and invites personal reflection while standing in another person’s shoes.

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The Blurb:

A group of young people try to recover from drug addiction, but facing their own abyss is very complex, with legal problems, ghosts of the past, and the absence of any real authority.