Teatro a Pedali Festival

When the audience lights up the stage

The Teatro a Pedali Festival is a one-of-a-kind project on the Italian scene: it is the only theatre festival where the spectators themselves provide the energy needed for the show. Seated on bicycles connected to electric generators, the audience pedals to power the lights and sound system, while special displays show the energy produced in real-time. If the pedaling stops, the show risks going dark, making participation an integral part of the performance. In Bagnolo Piemonte, at the foot of the Monviso mountain in the province of Cuneo, this format turns a night at the theatre into a collective act of sustainability.

A travelling and sustainable festival

Conceived in 2019 by Daniele Ronco and promoted by the Mulino ad Arte APS association, the festival travels every year through villages, cities, mountains, and natural spaces with a widespread programme of low-impact performances. The initiative weaves together civic theatre, music, and scientific outreach to address environmental issues—from climate change and sustainable mobility to conscious consumption—in an accessible way.

The Bagnolo Piemonte stop

The Bagnolo stop is part of the rich Cuneo calendar of the festival, which visits various municipalities in the province between spring and summer. The show proposed in Bagnolo Piemonte, «Le più grandi imprese del ciclismo italiano» (The Greatest Feats of Italian Cycling) by the Compagnia Mulino ad Arte, is a narrative and ironic tribute to cycling legends—a choice perfectly in line with the festival's spirit, where the bicycle itself is the star.

Theatre, environment, and community

• Performances powered entirely by the audience's energy
• Strong bond with the Piedmont region and the culture of sustainability
• Programming suitable for families and all ages
• Many events with free admission or affordable prices

Attending the Teatro a Pedali in Bagnolo Piemonte means experiencing a night unlike any other, where live art merges with ecological commitment and the community spirit typical of small Piedmontese towns.