Teatro della Tosse — Al Gran Ballo di Venere

Apricale, a village-stage

Nestled among the olive trees of the Ventimiglia hinterland, Apricale (Province of Imperia) is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, with its narrow alleyways climbing the slope and its small squares that open up unexpectedly. For years, this unique setting has hosted the travelling performances of the Teatro della Tosse from Genoa, one of Liguria's most prestigious theatre companies. For the summer of 2026, "Al Gran Ballo di Venere" will be staged.

A journey into Ovid's Metamorphoses

The performance, directed by Emanuele Conte, is inspired by Ovid's Metamorphoses, the great poem of transformations. The audience does not remain seated but follows the actors on a journey through the village's alleys, staircases, and squares: every corner becomes a stage, every passage a threshold between one myth and another. This is the formula of travelling theatre that has made Apricale's summers with the Teatro della Tosse famous.

Theatre among the village stones

The experience combines the power of the classic text with the allure of an extraordinary natural setting: the ancient stones of Apricale, illuminated by the evening, amplify the magic of the performance. An event that makes this small village in the Imperia hinterland a focal point for summer theatre in Liguria, capable of attracting spectators from all over the region and beyond.