Racket in Chioggia

Carlo Goldoni’s comedy "The Squabble in Chioggia" (1761) unfolds a turbulent web of relationships in the small port town of Chioggia. A harmless flirt ignites a blaze of jealousy, misunderstandings, and rumors that shakes the social fabric of the community. With 14 characters, Goldoni caricatures the escalation of conflicts in a world where everyone believes—or thinks they believe—they know everything about everyone else. Beneath the comedic surface lies a precise examination of gender roles, power dynamics, and the fragility of community.

In Nuran David Calis’s staging, Chioggia’s piazza is transformed into a modern open-plan office, where conflicts intensify through digital communication and office hierarchies. Commedia dell’arte meets "The Office" to become a fast-paced ensemble piece that shows how quickly communities can unravel—whether in the fishing village of the 18th century or between desk islands and Messenger groups. The set design morphs into an open-plan office of a freight company, while the pastel-colored 1960s costumes with exaggerated collars lend a surreal touch. Italo hits from the 1970s, sung live by the performers, infuse the production with an ironically reflective tone. Among the cast is actress Nina Proll in one of the lead roles.