National Festival of Theatre "La Guglia d'Oro"

A benchmark for amateur theatre in Italy

The National Festival of Theatre "La Guglia d'Oro" is one of the longest-running and most appreciated reviews dedicated to quality amateur theatre in Italy. Born in Agugliano, a small municipality in the Province of Ancona in the Marche region, the festival has grown to become a national event: every year, a committee of industry experts selects the finalist companies from dozens of applications from all over the peninsula, featuring plays in Italian or dialect, new or classic, dramatic or comedic.

Where and when

The beating heart of the event is the Ariston CineTheatre in Agugliano. The shows are staged on Sunday afternoons, traditionally at 5:00 PM, from late winter to early spring. A formula that has also won over those who don't normally attend theatre over the years, thanks to an accessible and high-quality offering.

A real competition

More than just a theatre season, "La Guglia d'Oro" is a true competition. At the end of the review, a jury awards numerous prizes: in addition to the main award "La Guglia d'Oro" for best show, awards are given for direction, set design, costumes, best male and female performances (leading and supporting), and original dramaturgy. There are also the Audience Award and the youth jury award, which involves the younger generations.

Who organizes it

Behind the festival is the Associazione La Guglia APS, a non-profit social promotion organization registered with the National Register of the Third Sector, based in Agugliano. The artistic direction is entrusted to Cristiano Lassandari. The association promotes the cultural growth of the community through theatrical, musical, and literary initiatives, particularly involving young people with projects such as the "Scrittori Domani" (Writers Tomorrow) narrative competition and the "Come d'Incanto" (Enchantingly) music competition.

A final evening not to be missed

The award ceremony that closes the festival is always one of the most anticipated events: in addition to the awards, it features a special guest of national renown, capable of giving the audience in the Marche region an evening of pure entertainment. Over the years, well-known faces from Italian comedy and entertainment have performed.

Why it's worth it

• One of Italy's most prestigious national amateur theatre reviews
• Selected companies from all regions
• Affordable tickets and free entry for children
• A final evening with a special guest and awards ceremony
• An opportunity to discover Agugliano and its hinterland in the Ancona province