The Charm of Theatre in the Village
The Montalbano Elicona theatre season at the Teatro Domenico Popolo
About Theatre in the Village
Great theatre in the village of villages
The Charm of Theatre in the Village is the theatre festival that transforms Montalbano Elicona, in the province of Messina, into a cultural landmark of the Nebrodi mountains every season. The village, listed among The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy and proclaimed Village of Villages in 2015, hosts a programme at the Teatro Domenico Popolo that weaves together drama, comedy, music, storytelling, and cinema, bringing nationally renowned performers to Sicily.
A season of drama, music, and civic engagement
The playbill alternates between theatrical performances, musical tributes, and author-led storytelling, ranging from great Italian songs to civil memory, from comedy to tributes to Sicilian tradition. Alongside evening performances, the festival offers classical music concerts, productions by young artists, and a rich programme of side activities designed to engage the entire territory throughout the year.
Workshops, meetings, and training
- Music workshops led by Sergio Camuti (Music Art);
- Theatre workshops led by Cettina Sciacca;
- Literary meetings with prominent authors, including Dacia Maraini and Simona Zecchi;
- Matinees for schools, to introduce younger audiences to the language of theatre.
Organisers
The festival is promoted by the Banca della Speranza association, with artistic direction by Nicola Calabria and organisational direction by Emanuela Segreto, with the support of the Municipality of Montalbano Elicona and the Sicilian Region. For those arriving by motorway, a free shuttle service is available from the Falcone toll booths, upon reservation.
An experience between culture and landscape
Attending a performance at the Theatre in the Village means combining the quality of the great Italian stage with the charm of a medieval village dominated by the Castle of Frederick II of Aragon, amidst the characteristic stone streets of the Messina Nebrodi. An event that makes Montalbano Elicona, a small municipality in north-eastern Sicily, an unexpected capital of high-quality theatre.
Theatre in the Village — edition 2026
The second edition of The Charm of Theatre in the Village brought the Teatro Domenico Popolo of Montalbano Elicona to life from October 2025 to April 2026, confirming the festival as one of the most anticipated cultural events in the province of Messina.
The season opened on October 23, 2025, with Beppe Servillo and his tribute to Lucio Dalla, continuing with Mauro Di Domenico's tribute to Ennio Morricone, the show Strafelicissima Palermo by Sergio Vespertino, and Il Sindaco Pescatore with Ettore Bassi. In 2026, the programme featured Antonio Grosso (Minchia Signor Tenente), Agnese Fallongo with Letizia va alla guerra, Ornella Muti with her cinema stories, Carlo Muratori, and the grand finale on April 18 with Barbara Arcadi and the tribute to Rosa Balistreri.
The evening programme was complemented by classical music concerts, music and theatre workshops, literary meetings with Dacia Maraini and Simona Zecchi, and matinees for schools, confirming the festival's educational vocation in the Municipality of Montalbano Elicona.
Programme Theatre in the Village 2026
2025-2026 Season — Teatro Domenico Popolo
- October 23, 2025 — Beppe Servillo, tribute to Lucio Dalla
- November 16, 2025 — Mauro Di Domenico, tribute to Ennio Morricone
- November 30, 2025 — Sergio Vespertino, Strafelicissima Palermo
- December 12, 2025 — Ettore Bassi, Il Sindaco Pescatore
- January 29, 2026 — Antonio Grosso, Minchia Signor Tenente
- February 11, 2026 — Agnese Fallongo and Tiziano Caputo, Letizia va alla guerra
- March 15, 2026 — Ornella Muti, cinema stories
- March 22, 2026 — Carlo Muratori, show on Holy Week rituals
- April 18, 2026 — Barbara Arcadi, tribute to Rosa Balistreri
Highlights Theatre in the Village 2026
Prices Theatre in the Village 2026
Practical information — Theatre in the Village
Location
Teatro Domenico Popolo, Montalbano Elicona (ME), Sicily.
Getting there
By car via the A20 Messina-Palermo motorway, take the Falcone-Montalbano exit, then the SP road to Montalbano Elicona. A free shuttle service is available from the Falcone toll booths upon reservation (tel. +39 370 1207067).
Tickets
Subscriptions and tickets can be purchased at the theatre box office. For information and reservations, please contact the artistic direction.
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Where does it take place — Theatre in the Village
Teatro Domenico Popolo