ABOUT US

“Give us a street, a square, and together we will travel through time, myth and dreams.”

Compagnia dei Folli

“The only certain fact is that without the seasoning of folly, no pleasure can exist.”

Erasmus of Rotterdam

“Folly, my lord, like the sun, walks through the world, and there is no place where it does not shine.”

William Shakespeare

Compagnia dei Folli: Tradition and Innovation in Street Theatre

The Compagnia dei Folli was founded in 1984. A group of young actors, fascinated by street and visual theatre, dreamed of telling stories and legends. They chose stilts as their main expressive tool. Inspired by the grallatores of the Middle Ages, the Folli bring performances to life using stilts, fire and fireworks. In Italy and abroad, squares and streets are transformed into magical, fantastic places through their performances.

Evolution and Professionalization

In its early years, the Compagnia dei Folli stood out in historical re-enactments. Over time, its productions also gained recognition in other contexts. The company took part in live RAI broadcasts, special events and theatre festivals. A turning point came in 1997, when the Folli decided to enter the professional performing arts world. The company became a structured enterprise. Today, it employs four people full-time and works with a cast of 15–20 actors who alternate across the different productions.

Experimentation and New Stage Techniques

The company’s established experience in street theatre is combined with experimentation. Mountaineering and caving techniques were introduced, leading the Folli to use new stage machinery, including aerostats, hot-air balloons, steel cables and elastic ropes. The use of cranes allows the performers to create spectacular aerial sequences. The productions have become increasingly evocative, with fireworks fully integrated into the staging. In recent years, the Compagnia dei Folli has developed significant experience in contemporary circus. Some performers have trained at prestigious circus schools in Italy and abroad.

Awards and International Tours

Since 2015, the Compagnia dei Folli has been recognised by the Italian Ministry of Culture in the section dedicated to Street Theatre. Since 1984, the company has produced around twenty shows, some of which are still touring and continue to bring its art around the world.

Since 2001, the company has revived a historic tradition. After 250 years, it brought back the famous Flight of the Angel, which takes place from the bell tower in St Mark’s Square in Venice and marks the opening of Carnival celebrations. For ten years, the Compagnia dei Folli was responsible for the technical production of this descent. A young woman, often a well-known television or sports personality, descends along a steel cable.

The Compagnia dei Folli has staged countless performances in Italy and abroad. Its tours have reached Austria, Switzerland, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal and Belgium, as well as destinations beyond Europe. Major international engagements have taken the company to Algeria for the Festival Culturel Européen, South Africa for the Arts Festival in Grahamstown, the United Arab Emirates for the Al Qasba Festival in Dubai, Russia, Japan as guest of honour at the 20th Daidogei Festival in Shizuoka, and, in 2026, China for the opening of the Silk Road Romance Park in Qingdao.

The company has taken part in numerous renowned festivals, including the Festival Internazionale Teatri dal Mondo in Porto Sant’Elpidio, DteAtRo – Festival Internacional de Alcañiz in Spain, MERCANTIA Street Theatre Festival in Certaldo, Sete Sóis Sete Luas in Portimão, Portugal, Arteinparabita under the artistic direction of Michele Placido, La Muralla in Pamplona with the premiere of “Tombolo”, Clown & Clown Festival in Monte San Giusto, Veregra Street in Montegranaro, and many other major events.

Artistic Collaborations and Special Projects

We have collaborated with the renowned Vittoria Ottolenghi on television projects for RAI. One of these took place in the magnificent Certosa di Padula, a site of great cultural importance. Another significant collaboration was with Claudio Baglioni for his 1998 Tournée dei Colori, under the direction of Pepi Morgia. We have also worked with the Argentine director Ricardo Fuks on the staging of the theatre production “I Lupi di Pito”.

Our versatility has led us to collaborate with theOrchestra Internazionale d’Italia and the Choir of the Teatro Ventidio Basso in Ascoli Piceno. Together, we created a memorable interpretation of Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana” in the form of a staged cantata.

Since 2005, the Compagnia dei Folli has staged the production “Inferno”, based on the first canticle of Dante’s Divine Comedy. “Inferno” is our most diverse production, blending street and visual theatre with traditional drama. This extraordinary event involves eighteen performers and technicians, creating a powerful and immersive experience.

In 2011, to mark the 150th anniversary of the Unification of Italy, we premiered the production “One Heart, One Pact, One Cry”, a work dedicated to this important national anniversary.

Organisation and Production of Major Events

The Compagnia dei Folli goes beyond performance. We have extensive experience in the production and technical-artistic direction of major events, both in Italy and abroad. These include:

  • The Festival dell’Appennino of the Province of Ascoli Piceno.
  • The Opening Ceremony of the Junior Cycling World Championships in Offida (AP) in 2010.
  • The reopening ceremony of Forte Malatesta in Ascoli Piceno, following its restoration.
  • The Opening Ceremony of the 2012 World Roller Skating Championships.
  • The opening performance of the Games of the Small States of Europe in San Marino in 2017.
  • In 2019, at the invitation of the Italian consul in Congo, we took part in a charity event in Kinshasa.

Our experience culminated in our participation in Matera European Capital of Culture 2019. On 19 January 2019, we were invited to the opening ceremony with the performance “Luna Bianca”. We returned to Matera in December for the closing ceremony with “Luce”. Our expertise in organising and producing major events is well established and widely recognised.

PalaFolli: The Company’s Home and Cultural Centre

The work of the Compagnia dei Folli has grown alongside the professional development of its organisational structure. A stagecraft workshop and an in-house costume department have been added, working not only for our own productions but also for external clients.

Since 2002, the company has operated the PalaFolli theatre&arena. This venue is not only the company’s headquarters, with offices, storage, costume workshop and stagecraft workshop, but also an active 250-seat theatre. Thanks to the organisational experience developed over the years, PalaFolli hosts a wide range of initiatives:

  • Comedy theatre seasons: six editions of “Rodi&Ridi – Friday Comedy at PalaFolli”.
  • Theatre for young audiences: three editions of “Bolle&Balle” led to the creation of a theatre season dedicated to young audiences, in collaboration with the Teatro di Ascoli Piceno and the Municipal Administration.
  • Music and dance programmes.

Since 2003, PalaFolli has also hosted courses in dance, theatre, contemporary circus and introduction to the performing arts. This creative space is a true cultural hub, bringing together theatre performances, concerts, conferences, conventions, exhibitions, workshops, theatre and music training sessions, and creative activities for children.