Until July 5, 2025, the city of Nice is hosting the 10th edition of the International Commedia dell’Arte Festival. Organized by the association La Semeuse, this event offers nine free or low-cost performances, workshops, and an exhibition to introduce this popular masked theatrical art in the heart of Nice’s neighborhoods.
Since 2014, the association La Semeuse has brought commedia dell’arte to public spaces. For this anniversary edition, the festival is once again spread across several iconic locations: the Francis Gag Theater, the Palais Lascaris, the Mediterranean University Center, the Providence Cultural Center, as well as the Riquier, Notre-Dame, and L’Ariane districts.
For fifteen days, the public is invited to attend performances combining theater, acrobatics, mime, dance, singing, or fencing. In total, seven different shows are offered, including two based on classic texts by Molière and Shakespeare. An exhibition titled Commedia dell’Arte, Mirror of Society is also on display at the Providence Cultural Center from June 24 to July 4.
Among the highlights, the public can discover Leonardo: Da Vinci a Milano, an Italian creation performed on June 28. On June 29, artist Enrico Bonavera will present The Secrets of Harlequin. Entry is free for several outdoor performances.
A Theater to Share
The program highlights around fifty artists from all over Europe. Some performances are in French, others in Italian or Spanish.
Three workshops complement the program. Frédéric Rey will lead a neutral mask workshop on June 22. A children’s workshop will take place on June 29, and a master class will be directed by Enrico Bonavera, a renowned figure in masked theater.
The event is supported by several institutions: the State, the South Region, the Department of Alpes-Maritimes, the Metropolis Nice Côte d’Azur, and the city of Nice. The Consulate General of Italy, the Galice association, COALCIT, and the AMMI hotel chain are also partners of this edition.
La Semeuse relies on the participation of volunteers and the curiosity of the public to make this 10th edition a moment of gathering around a lively, entertaining, and accessible theater.
More information and the full program can be found at: www.commedia-nice.com.
