Shakespearean Summer at Villa Torlonia

Shakespeare moves to Villa Torlonia

For the summer of 2025, Rome's Shakespearean festival changed its address: moving from the gardens of Villa Borghese, where the tradition of open-air Elizabethan theatre was born and flourished, it arrived at Villa Torlonia, along Via Nomentana in the city's Municipio II. This decision by Rome's municipal government is part of a broader strategy: to restore historic villas as active cultural hubs rather than just parks to pass through.

The result is one of the most evocative experiences of the Roman summer. The audience watches the performances outdoors, with the greenery of the park and the 19th-century architecture serving as a natural backdrop: not a traditional stage, but a journey that utilizes the villa's various spaces, from lawns to tree-lined paths.

The program: The Bard's comedies and tragedies

The 2025 edition opened with «The Merry Wives of Windsor», one of William Shakespeare's most beloved comedies, centered on the misadventures of Sir John Falstaff and the wit of the women of Windsor. The program continued with a selection of works designed to showcase the full range of the English playwright, alternating between comedic and tragic registers.

The format favors agile productions suited to open spaces: minimal scenery, a focus on the text, and an intimate connection between actors and spectators. This is how Shakespeare was originally performed, and it works naturally at Villa Torlonia.

More than just evening shows

Surrounding the main program is a series of side activities designed for a diverse audience:

• Theatre workshops for children and adults, focused on reading and staging the texts;
• Conferences and meetings exploring Shakespeare's work and Elizabethan theatre;
• Guided tours of the villa and its museums, particularly the Casino Nobile and the Casina delle Civette.

This part of the program is what distinguishes the festival from a simple summer season: theatre becomes the gateway to the park's heritage, and the visit to the park becomes the natural extension of the performance.

Villa Torlonia, a unique setting

Built in the 19th century for the Torlonia family, Villa Torlonia is one of Rome's most fascinating historic residences. The park is famous for its English-style gardens, fountains, and a series of buildings that are unparalleled in the city: the Casina delle Civette, an extraordinary example of Art Nouveau style with its stained-glass windows, the Casino Nobile, and the restored Teatro di Villa Torlonia, which has been reopened to the public.

The villa is located in the Nomentano district, a short distance from the historic center and perfectly served by public transport: reaching it for an evening of theatre is easy even for those staying elsewhere in the capital.

A staple of the Roman summer

In the calendar of the Roman Summer (Estate Romana), the Shakespearean festival has held a special place for years: it is the event that combines the great classical repertoire with the popular and convivial atmosphere of an evening outdoors. The move to Villa Torlonia has renewed its image, adding the charm of a historic park that completely changes its atmosphere at night to the theatrical offering.

For those visiting Rome during the warmer months, it is an opportunity to see the city from a different angle than the usual tourist circuits: a largely local audience, an elegant residential neighborhood, and theatre under the stars in the Lazio summer.