Diffusioni Teatrali
The itinerant theatre festival bringing world-class performances to the villages of the Ossola Valley, with a stop in Varzo
About Diffusioni Teatrali
Theatre arriving in the villages of the Ossola Valley
Diffusioni Teatrali is the itinerant theatre festival conceived and organised by the Compagnia dell'Ozio, a cultural organisation from the Ossola Valley that has been bringing great theatre to places it usually doesn't reach: the villages, hamlets, and valleys of the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola region in Piedmont. The company's motto perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the event: «Theatre always, everywhere, and for everyone». Among the municipalities that serve as a stage for the festival, Varzo has held a central place since the very first editions.
Varzo, a historic stop
In Varzo, performances are held primarily at the Teatro Alveare, in Piazza Pietro Bono, and at the Church of San Giorgio, two spaces that the festival transforms into stages. The village, located along the Simplon railway line connecting Domodossola to Switzerland, was already a key location during the first edition in 2024 and the second in 2025, when the programme was developed specifically between Varzo and Vogogna. Over the years, the local Varzo audience has been able to attend nationally acclaimed events, featuring actors and productions that rarely reach small mountain towns.
A programme for every taste
The programming of Diffusioni Teatrali, and more generally the theatrical project of Compagnia dell'Ozio in Varzo, spans various genres to reach a wide audience: social and committed theatre, comedy, storytelling, musicals, and performances that blend theatre and music. The Varzo stages have hosted prominent figures of the Italian scene, from Peppe Servillo and Ottavia Piccolo to Ascanio Celestini, alongside independent productions and experimental shows. The goal remains the same: to offer high-quality, accessible theatre that is close to local communities.
Deeply rooted in the territory
Born in 2024 and growing with each edition, Diffusioni Teatrali has become a highly anticipated event in the Ossola cultural season. The festival is supported by local institutions and organisations and represents an example of how culture can enliven even the small municipalities of the Piedmontese mountains, strengthening the bond between the valleys and their identity. For Varzo, a town of just under two thousand inhabitants nestled in the Alps on the border with Switzerland, the festival is a precious opportunity to experience great theatre right on their doorstep.
Diffusioni Teatrali — edition 2026
The third edition of Diffusioni Teatrali, titled «Fo and Francesco - the church and the square», focused on two symbolic figures of 2026: Saint Francis of Assisi, marking the 800th anniversary of his death, and Dario Fo, celebrating the centenary of his birth. The Varzo stop, at the Teatro Alveare, hosted the show «Tap the Mask» on Saturday, May 30, presented as a national premiere: a duel-encounter between Celtic harp and tap dance, an expression of the experimental and itinerant spirit of the festival organised by the Compagnia dell'Ozio in the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola region.
Programme Diffusioni Teatrali 2026
The Varzo stop of the 2026 Diffusioni Teatrali festival was held at the Teatro Alveare (Piazza Pietro Bono 1).
Saturday, May 30 — Teatro Alveare, Varzo
- 21:00 — «Tap the Mask», with the Harp&Tap duo: Adriano Sangineto (Celtic harp) and Ilaria Suss (tap dance). National premiere performance.
«Tap the Mask» blends two seemingly distant arts, the Celtic harp and tap dance, in a series of musical tableaux where the two protagonists challenge, duel, and then ally with each other, alternating roles through sounds ranging from the grotesque mask of the Commedia dell'Arte to the pulsating rhythm of a 1930s ragtime. The show explores the theme of the mask, both social and emotional, through the artistic evolution of the two performers.
The Varzo stop is part of a broader programme for the third edition, which crossed various villages of the Ossola Valley — from Domodossola to Vogogna and Bannio Anzino — between April and June 2026.
Highlights Diffusioni Teatrali 2026
- «Tap the Mask» by the Harp&Tap duo (Adriano Sangineto and Ilaria Suss) in a national premiere at the Teatro Alveare
- The unique encounter between Celtic harp and tap dance
- Theme of the edition: the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis and the centenary of Dario Fo
Prices Diffusioni Teatrali 2026
Practical information — Diffusioni Teatrali
How to get there
Varzo is located along the Simplon railway line (Domodossola–Brig, Switzerland): the station is served by regional trains. By car, it can be reached via the SS33 Simplon road. The Teatro Alveare is located at Piazza Pietro Bono 1, in the town centre.
Tickets
Tickets for individual shows are available for pre-sale online at ticketsms.it, with full and reduced rates (generally around 14–19 euros depending on the show) and discounted prices for young people. Some events are free or by donation.
Information
For the complete and updated programme, times, and locations of each show, it is recommended to consult the official website of the Compagnia dell'Ozio and its social media channels, or to write to [email protected].
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Where does it take place — Diffusioni Teatrali
Teatro Alveare
Piazza Pietro Bono 1, 28868 Varzo