Salento Shakespeare Festival
The first edition of Shakespearean theatre across Tricase, Andrano, and Salve
About Salento Shakespeare Festival
The first Shakespearean festival in lower Salento
The Salento Shakespeare Festival makes its debut in 2026, bringing the works of William Shakespeare to the stone walls, castles, and amphitheatres of the Capo di Leuca. This touring event involves three municipalities in the province of Lecce: Tricase, Andrano, and Salve, all united by the vision of reviving the English Bard's genius in settings rich with history and Mediterranean charm.
The initiative was created by the social promotion association Il Circolo degli Ignoranti, led by Antonio Sparascio and Salvo Cezza, and is part of the circuit of the Italian Shakespeare Festival in Rome and the European Shakespeare Festival. Artistic direction is entrusted to Luciano Bottaro, creator and director of the Italian Shakespeare Festival, who also directs one of the scheduled performances and the acting workshop.
A journey through the landscapes of Salento
Each evening takes place in a unique setting. In Tricase, performances are staged in the evocative Scuderie di Palazzo dei Principi Gallone in the historic centre; in Andrano, the stage is set in the Castle, while in Salve, the festival arrives at the Anfiteatro Le Trappite. It is a journey that blends theatre and heritage, inviting the public to discover lesser-known corners of the lower Salento region in Puglia.
Performances, contests, and training
The programme alternates between local company productions and guest artists, a talk dedicated to Elizabethan theatre, an Under-21 Contest for young actors competing with Shakespearean monologues, and an acting workshop open to various skill levels. The competing companies have the chance to represent Puglia at the Italian Shakespeare Festival in Rome, with the possibility of advancing to the European Festival finals.
A project for the local area
Supported by the municipalities of Tricase, Andrano, and Salve and in collaboration with local associations, the Salento Shakespeare Festival aims to become a new cultural summer staple for the province of Lecce and all of Puglia, weaving together great drama, the enhancement of local landmarks, and the growth of young talent in Salento's theatre scene.
Salento Shakespeare Festival — edition 2026
The first edition of the Salento Shakespeare Festival inaugurates a touring event entirely dedicated to the theatre of William Shakespeare in lower Salento. From July 2nd to 5th, 2026, performances will travel through Tricase, Andrano, and Salve, taking the audience from the Scuderie di Palazzo dei Principi Gallone to the Castle of Andrano, and finally to the Anfiteatro Le Trappite in Salve.
Alongside the evening performances, the festival offers the talk "Voci Da Stratford" (Voices from Stratford), the Under-21 Contest for young performers, and the workshop "La Materia di cui sono fatti i sogni" (The Stuff that Dreams are Made On) conducted by Luciano Bottaro, the festival's artistic director. A debut that weaves together great drama, the enhancement of local sites, and support for new talent in Apulian theatre.
Programme Salento Shakespeare Festival 2026
Wednesday, July 2 — Tricase, Scuderie di Palazzo dei Principi Gallone
- 20:00 — Opening ceremony with "I Tarocchi di Shakespeare" by Chiara Serena Brunetta
- Followed by "I Tre Finali più belli delle tragedie shakespeariane" with Luciano Bottaro
Thursday, July 3 — Andrano, Castle
- 19:30 — Talk "Voci Da Stratford" by Il Circolo degli Ignoranti
- First part of the Under-21 Contest, with young actors competing with Shakespearean monologues
- "Epilogue" by Teatro delle Ombre (Elena Ludovica Cappello, Mariagrazia De Trane, Ivan Paglia)
Friday, July 4 — Salve, Anfiteatro Le Trappite
- 20:00 — Second part of the Under-21 Contest
- "Stasera va in scena Re Lear" by and with Salvatore Cezza and Antonio Sparascio, winner of the Best Adaptation award at the Italian Shakespeare Festival in Rome
Saturday, July 5 — Tricase, Scuderie di Palazzo dei Principi Gallone
- 20:30 — "Otello" by Calandra Teatro, directed by Giuseppe Miggiano
- Award ceremony for the best Under-21 monologue and closing ceremony
Workshop
Throughout the festival, the acting workshop "La Materia di cui sono fatti i sogni" with Luciano Bottaro (ACT method) will be held, available for both beginner and advanced levels.
Highlights Salento Shakespeare Festival 2026
Prices Salento Shakespeare Festival 2026
Practical information — Salento Shakespeare Festival
Where
The festival is a touring event across three municipalities in lower Salento, in the province of Lecce: Tricase (Scuderie di Palazzo dei Principi Gallone), Andrano (Castle), and Salve (Anfiteatro Le Trappite).
When
From July 2nd to 5th, 2026, with performances scheduled in the evenings.
Tickets and reservations
Access to performances is by reservation via the official website ssf.news (under the "Prenota il tuo Festival" section). For information: [email protected], tel. +39 351 8680004 / +39 320 4507535.
Organization
The festival is promoted by the association Il Circolo degli Ignoranti APS, with artistic direction by Luciano Bottaro.
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Where does it take place — Salento Shakespeare Festival
Scuderie di Palazzo dei Principi Gallone
Scuderie di Palazzo dei Principi Gallone, 73039 Tricase