BIS! 2 Lakes 2 Stages - Theatre Festival

Theatre just a stone's throw from the lakes

BIS! 2 Lakes 2 Stages is one of the most vibrant theatrical offerings in northern Piedmont: a travelling festival that connects two towns and two stages each winter season—the Spazio S.O.M.S.I. in Gozzano, in the Province of Novara, and the Nostr@domus Cultural Centre in Baveno, on the shores of Lake Maggiore. Each show is performed in both towns over two consecutive nights, doubling the opportunity to attend: hence the name BIS! (Encore!), two lakes and two stages for a single programme.

Five events from January to May

The programme consists of five evenings spread between January and May, all starting at 9:00 PM. In Gozzano, the shows are hosted in the historic Spazio S.O.M.S.I., home to the Workers' Mutual Aid and Education Society in Piazza San Giuliano, in the heart of the village. The programme alternates between different genres—contemporary drama, comedy, puppet theatre with Sicilian marionettes, and theatrical concerts—with the aim of offering popular yet refined theatre that speaks to families, enthusiasts, and the curious alike.

Organisers

The festival is promoted by the La Finestra sul Lago ETS Association in collaboration with Piemonte dal Vivo as part of the Corto Circuito project, with the support of the municipal administrations of Gozzano and Baveno and the Workers' Mutual Aid Society. The project was born with the goal of bringing professional performances to small towns in the region, enhancing historic spaces like the S.O.M.S.I., and creating a cultural meeting point for the entire community.

Gozzano and the Cusio

Gozzano is located at the southern tip of Lake Orta, in an area of great scenic charm between the Cusio region and Lake Maggiore. Going to the theatre here means combining an evening of culture with the discovery of an authentic corner of the Piedmontese lake district, far from the major tourist circuits but rich in history and tradition. The festival's travelling format is, after all, specifically designed to weave together the two lake basins that give the event its name.