More tricks of the trade

Dario Fo and Franca Rame were arguably Italy's most famous and provocative theatrical team for decades.

Their extremist left wing views brought great trouble for them, particularly from Italy's establishment and the Catholic Church.

In America they were regarded as 'undesirable' and for many years, were barred from entering that country.

Despite this, their fame spread throughout Europe and many other countries and Fo's plays were translated into more than 30 languages and performed in many foreign countries.

Both were consummate performers on stage and in writing his irreverent, fantastical political satires, Fo was helped to a great extent by Rame, his leading lady.

Their partnership and marriage ended when Rame died in 2013.

When in 1997, Fo was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature he was described as 'arguably the most widely performed contemporary playwright in world theatre'.

Many commentators thought that the award should have been made jointly to Fo and Franca Rame.

Fo and Rame collaborated in The Tricks of the Trade, which was published in 1990 and won instant critical acclaim.

More Tricks of the Trade is the last collaboration of Fo and Rame. The work was begun three years ago and completed by Fo after the death of Franca, his wife for almost sixty years.