Natalia Ginzburg, hailed as one of Italy's most esteemed playwrights in the wake of World War II, earned the distinguished Marzotto Prize for European Drama with her work, The Advertisement (1968). Originally penned in Italian, this masterpiece graced the English stage in its first translated performance.

At the heart of The Advertisement is Teresa, a woman enveloped in solitude following her separation from her husband. She decides to rent out her extra room to Elena, a university student in Rome. From the moment Elena crosses the threshold, Teresa fills the air with an endless torrent about her bleak childhood and the turbulent marriage to Lorenzo, her estranged spouse. Lorenzo, upon discovering Teresa's affair with his best friend, abandoned their five-year marriage. The curtain rises to reveal a year has passed since their separation, yet Teresa remains consumed with thoughts of Lorenzo, still shackled by love for him despite the bitterness of his betrayal.

As Elena settles into the spare room, a friendship blossoms between the two women. Elena finds comfort in Teresa's presence, attentively absorbing her endless, sorrowful stories, though they often encroach upon her study time. A new dynamic unfolds when Elena encounters Lorenzo; their mutual attraction is undeniable, drawing them closer. When Elena confesses to Teresa their burgeoning love, Teresa's initial response is one of astonishing calm and reason. But the façade crumbles when Elena turns away, and Teresa, in a frenzied act of passion and jealousy, shoots Elena dead and promptly calls Lorenzo to confess her tragic deed.

Ginzburg, as in many of her theatrical works, delves into the intricate lives of women navigating the complexities of modern marriage and relationships. Through Teresa's character, she poignantly examines the destructive nature of obsessive love.