Eighty years of history projected straight into the future. Milan’s Piccolo Teatro – Italy’s very first public repertory theater, founded on May 14, 1947, by Giorgio Strehler and Paolo Grassi – has unveiled its 2026-2027 season under the title “The Game of Time” (Il gioco del tempo). The massive lineup features 56 titles and 30 productions, a celebration that coincides with the 80th anniversary of the Italian Republic.
“We are rethinking our mission to be an art theater for everyone,” explained General Manager Lanfranco Li Cauli, while Artistic Director Claudio Longhi stressed how this milestone demands profound historical reflection. Among the most anticipated stagings are Bertolt Brecht’s work starring Franco Branciaroli and Lino Guanciale, alongside the return of Goethe’s Faust, directed by Antonio Latella.
The centerpiece of the celebrations will be a historic twinship with Teatro alla Scala, a bond born in the immediate post-war era. In March, La Scala’s Ballet Company will take the stage at the Teatro Strehler with “Mont Ventoux”. Piccolo Teatro will return the gesture in July 2027, bringing its own iconic masterpiece, Arlecchino servitore di due padroni (Harlequin Servant of Two Masters) – which also turns eighty – to La Scala’s stage. Special events include a tribute to legendary singer Ornella Vanoni, written by singer-songwriter Pacifico for September 22. Mayor Giuseppe Sala praised the institution, noting that audience numbers grew by 20% over the past year.
News Source: 9Colonne
