Theatre entertainment in Italy
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Teatro Junghans
Cutting-edge theatre takes on a literal meaning at this three-sided stage, nicknamed Teatro Formaggino (Little Cheese Theatre) because it looks like a wedge of cheese. The experimental theatre seats 150, but you’re not expected to just sit there: Teatro Junghans offers workshops on costume design in August, mask-acting in July and September, and commedia dell’arte (archetypal improvisational comedy) in August and September. If you’d rather leave that sort of thing to the professionals, check the online calendar for performances when the company is in residence.
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Galleria Toledo
If it’s cutting edge, independent or experimental, chances are it’s playing at this cult-status theatre, tucked away in the Quartieri Spagnoli. Gigs span both local and global plays and live music, with the odd offbeat arthouse flick thrown in for good measure. Phone bookings are taken (including at weekends), with ticket pick-up at the box office 30 minutes prior to the performance.
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Piccolo Teatro (Teatro Grassi)
This risk-taking little repertory theatre was opened in 1947 by Paolo Grassi and none other than the late, great theatre director Giorgio Strehler, and then embarked on a nationwide movement of avant-garde productions and Commedia dell’Arte revivals. Additional programming, including ballet, goes on at the larger, second sibling space over at the Teatro Strehler.
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Teatro Comunale
Concerts, opera and dance are the staples at this old but utilitarian 2000-seater. You can catch all three of these arts in May and June when the theatre hosts the two-month Maggio Musicale Fiorentina festival. MaggioDanza is the resident dance company and puts on regular ballet performances and hosts visiting shows.
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Teatro India
Inaugurated in 1999 in the postindustrial landscape of Rome’s southern suburbs, the India is the younger sister of the Teatro Argentina. It’s a starkly modern space in a converted industrial building, a fitting setting for its cutting-edge programme, with a calendar of international and Italian works.
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Mercadante
Recently restored, the 18th-century Mercadante is home to Naples' major theatre company, the Teatro Stabile. A bumper season of high-standard productions includes new and classic Neapolitan, Italian and international works from the likes of Luca de Filippo, Roberto de Simone and Paul Léautaud.
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Teatro Goldoni
Named after the city’s greatest playwright, the city’s main theatre has an impressive dramatic range that runs from Goldoni comedy to Shakespearean tragedy (mostly in Italian), plus ballets and concerts. The box office opens Friday and Saturday when there is a performance.
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Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
The curtain rises on opera, classical concerts and ballet at this theatre, also known as the Teatro Comunale, located outside the western edge of the historic centre. The theatre also serves as the principle venue for the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino international concert festival.
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Anfiteatro del Tasso
The setting is extraordinary: an amphitheatre overlooking Rome’s rooftops that was built over 300 years ago. The productions are extraordinary too, for different reasons, featuring hammy turns in Greek and Roman comedy and the odd 18th-century drama, but they’re always great fun.
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Teatro Quirino
Within splashing distance of the Trevi Fountain, this grand 19th-century theatre produces the odd new work and a stream of well-known classics – expect to see works (in Italian) by Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, Shakespeare, Seneca and Luigi Pirandello.
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Teatro Verdi
There's nothing like a trip to the theatre while on holiday to lift the spirit. This Pisa institution is known for its high-calibre shows - with regular offerings of opera, theatre and dance. Consider the language barrier before purchasing tickets.
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Teatro Nuovo
Samuel Beckett and controversial Italian director Pier Paolo Pasolini are among the more recognisable names to appear on the Nuovo's programme. A modern theatre, it provides a stage for emerging European writers whose works may or may not appeal.
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Bellini
The gorgeous 19th-century Bellini theatre is a classic picture in gold and red. Suitably, the repertoire tends to be fairly conservative, with big-budget musicals and classics such as Shakespeare, Manzoni and Oscar Wilde.
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English Theatre of Rome
The English Theatre of Rome stages a mix of contemporary and classic plays, stand-up comedians and bilingual productions, mainly at the Teatro L’Arciliuto, near Piazza Navona, and occasionally at other venues.
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Teatro Toniolo
This busy forum in Mestre, in business since 1912 (and renovated in 2004), runs programmes ranging from Shakespeare to local drama, occasionally in dialect. Concert cycles and children's theatre are also a feature.
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Teatro Pirandello
This theatre is mostly given over to the work of the town's great playwright, Pirandello. The main theatre season is during the winter months of October to March. Ask at any of the tourist offices for details.
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Teatro Regio Torino
Sold-out performances can sometimes be watched for free on live TV in the adjoining Teatro Piccolo Regio ( [tel] 011 881 52 41), where Puccini premiered La Bohème in 1896.
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Teatro Alfieri
The Alfieri hosts much of the grand classic theatre in Cagliari, from Shakespeare to Goldoni. The occasional modern piece slips through, too. Performances are in Italian only.
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Teatro Carcano
Many of the greats of Italian drama have trod the boards of this historic early 19th-century theatre. Now it hosts a solid programme of rep and new productions in Italian.
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Teatro della Pergola
Built in the 1650s, this wonderful little baroque theatre is the ideal venue for chamber music. It also stages classic plays from Shakespeare to Pirandello.
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Lo Spasimo
This cultural centre in the atmospheric, if tragic, bombed-out remains of a church hosts art exhibitions and live concerts from May through September.
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Cuticchio Mimmo
A charming low-tech choice for children (and adults) with fabulous handcrafted puppets. Visit the workshop, a few doors away, where they’re made.
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Teatro Comunale
During July and August, outdoor concerts and ballet are staged on Piazza Grande. Modena’s main opera venue is Teatro Comunale.
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Teatro Due
Parma’s opera, concert and theatre season runs from October through April. The Teatro Due presents the city’s top drama.
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Teatro Civico
This beautiful Liberty-style theatre is currently undergoing refurbishment. When in action it showcases plays and concerts.
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