Alice in the Land of Theatre

A children's theatre festival in the Abruzzo mountains

Alice in the Land of Theatre is the summer festival dedicated to children's theatre that brings Pescasseroli to life every August—a mountain village in the province of L'Aquila and the ideal gateway to the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park. Promoted by the Municipality of Pescasseroli in collaboration with the Fantacadabra Cooperative, the event turns the town into an enchanted place where children, teenagers, and families rediscover the power of storytelling, play, and imagination.

The heart of the festival: the Giardino Teatro dei Piccoli

The nerve centre of the event is the Giardino Teatro dei Piccoli, an open-air space designed to host performances and activities in an intimate, child-friendly atmosphere. Alongside the garden, the municipal toy library (Ludoteca) hosts workshops, while the historic town centre joins in the festivities. The natural setting of the Park, with its forests and mountains, provides the backdrop for a festival that combines culture, education, and slow tourism.

Theatre performances and workshops

The programme alternates between children's theatre performances by Abruzzese and national companies and afternoon theatre workshops aimed at younger audiences. The activities, curated by the Accademia del Teatro Ragazzi e dell'Animazione, range from:

• theatre games and improvisation
• movement, storytelling, and group work
• scenography, creative writing, and costume making

The festival is directed by playwright and director Mario Fracassi and is part of the Marameo International Festival circuit, a network connecting children's theatre experiences across various Italian regions.

An event for the whole family

With its fairy tales reinterpreted in a contemporary key, its giants, Puss in Boots, and sleeping princesses, Alice in the Land of Theatre is designed to make both adults and children dream. The format, which combines watching performances with direct participation in workshops, makes it one of the most anticipated summer cultural events in the upper Sangro Valley and an opportunity to experience Pescasseroli and the Abruzzo National Park in a festive and creative light.