Teatro a Pedali Festival

When the audience lights up the stage

The Teatro a Pedali Festival is a unique project in the Italian landscape: it is the only theatre festival where the spectators themselves provide the energy needed for the show. Seated on bicycles connected to generators, participants pedal to power the lights and sound system, while displays show the energy produced in real-time. If the pedalling stops, the show risks going dark: participation thus becomes an integral part of the performance. In Cantalupa, at the foot of the Pinerolo mountains in the Metropolitan City of Turin, this format transforms a night of 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, and natural spaces with a widespread programme of low-impact shows. The 2026 edition, the seventh, runs from May to September with about 60 events including theatre, music, circus, and scientific outreach, spread across six Italian regions. The festival addresses major environmental issues, from climate change to sustainable mobility and conscious consumption, in an accessible way.

The Silvia Coassolo Amphitheatre in Cantalupa

The Silvia Coassolo Amphitheatre in Cantalupa is one of the festival's most significant venues in Piedmont, with a packed calendar of events between June and July. Highlights include climatologist Luca Mercalli, protagonist of the talk "Climate Crisis: Turning Back?", and a concert by trumpeter Paolo Fresu alongside organetto player Pierpaolo Vacca. The programme alternates theatrical performances, concerts, outreach moments, and international productions in a friendly, open-air atmosphere.

Theatre, environment, and community

• Shows powered entirely by the audience's energy on bicycles
• Strong bond with the Piedmont region and the culture of sustainability
• Multidisciplinary programming suitable for families and all ages
• Prominent guests from the Italian cultural and scientific scene

Participating in Teatro a Pedali in Cantalupa means experiencing an evening unlike any other, where live art blends with ecological commitment and the community spirit typical of the small towns in the Pinerolo area. An experience that combines quality entertainment, environmental reflection, and active participation in the heart of the Turin province.