Theater in Italy is often the victim of prejudice because it's perceived as boring, expensive and something ‘niche’ for only a few ‘elected and intellectual adults.’
It’s counterproductive to think so and it is instead important to encourage the younger generations to learn how to enjoy the extraordinary opportunities offered by the performing arts.
For this purpose, there's a magical, colorful and inspirational place in Genoa called Teatro della Tosse, a parallel universe where theater for kids takes shape and comes to life.
A cultural production center dedicated to disseminating the art in multiple artistic ‘languages.’
The morning shows are reserved for school groups and teachers whereas the afternoon shows in the weekends are dedicated to children with their families.
The shows are the same in the morning and in the afternoon and the program usually runs from September to May.
Before each afternoon spectacle, the children are invited to join a workshop in which the audience's role is crucial. They present activities such as costume preparation, scene rehearsing and papier-mache creation and they also teach children what proper behavior is required in the theater while watching the performances. Theater shows are a wonderful opportunity for the children to participate in the magic of the performance, and it's important to remember that being in the stalls can be a game, but like all real games, it's also challenging, with precise rules and strict laws to follow. Every game, ultimately, forces us to play a role until the end.
Teatro della Tosse, a parallel universe where theater for kids takes shape and comes to life.
The Teatro della Tosse turned 50 years old in 2025 and it is a cultural landmark for the city.
Other than its many activities for children, the theater organizes many performances also meant to appeal to all ages.
”Ubu the King” is perhaps its most famous production, whose beautiful and funky poster image was commissioned to and designed by Luzzati, now serving as the logo of the Luzzati Foundation and the theater itself.
If you enjoy surreal characters who are colorful and bi-dimensional like Chagall style, you’ll enjoy Luzzati art.
Luzzati was the most famous Genoese illustrator and he drew art for books and the theater alike.
The Casa Luzzati (Luzzati House) is located in the courtyard of Palazzo Ducale, right in the beating heart of the historical center of the city.
Casa Luzzati offers a variety of educational programs and it is often visited by schools because it offers an array of workshops within its walls. It opened in June 2021 during the pandemic and from its opening it became a place of culture, hope and imagination.
It is a small museum but the space offers a careful look at international productions in animation, illustration, theater and graphics.
Casa Luzzati is promoted and supported by the City of Genoa and it wishes to show Luzzati’s legacy and also be the reference point for the promotion of Emanuele Luzzati's collections and work, led by its foundation.
Luzzati’s legacy is his childlike and ironic imagination which created a world we all want to be part of.
You cannot visit the house and not be positively surprised by its walls full of art and mystical creatures.
A room shows theatrical plays from the 80s from Teatro della Tosse productions and another has an ongoing lab where to create figurines.
I visited it during the famous Vintage Market day in Genoa which is a surreal place on its own but I ll leave this for another time, another blog.
Casa Luzzati
