The 11th edition of the International Commedia dell’Arte Festival returns to Nice from June 5 to 18 with an international program.
The International Commedia dell’Arte Festival is preparing to once again enliven the stages and public spaces of Nice and its surroundings. From June 5 to 18, 2026, this 11th edition, orchestrated by the Niçoise association La Semeuse, will offer thirteen days dedicated to this theatrical art born in Italy in the 16th century. Combining masked play, improvisation, acrobatics and music, the event will highlight the vitality and modernity of a profoundly European tradition, welcoming companies from France, Italy and Canada.
A popular and European theater
Faithful to its vocation of popular education, the La Semeuse association, with recognized expertise in the field, continues to promote theater that is both demanding and accessible to as many people as possible. The festival embodies this ambition by investing in a variety of locations, from performance halls such as the La Providence Cultural Center and the Théâtre de La Semeuse, to open spaces such as the Jardin de la Place Arson, neighborhood squares and even a schoolyard in Carros. This approach aims to reach out to all audiences, including those outside traditional cultural circuits. The spirit of the event is based on transmission, contemporary creation and the circulation of artists, making Nice a crossroads for popular European theater for around fifteen years.
Rich and accessible programming
The 2026 edition promises to be particularly dense, in line with the previous year which brought together more than 1,600 spectators around around fifty artists. The programming alternates shows in French and Italian, contemporary creations and repertory pieces. A large part of the events will be freely accessible, notably open-air performances, while indoor shows will be offered at moderate prices (€15 / €12). Beyond the plays, the festival offers moments of transmission, such as an intensive practice course led by specialist Patrick Forian (June 7) and the screening of the documentary film “Les Enseignements du Masque”, which explores the use of this ancestral object in the training of contemporary actors. An exhibition, “The commedia dell’arte mirror of society”, will complete the immersion in this satirical and colorful universe.
The highlights of the 2026 edition
The festival will open on June 5 with “Catarina Segurana”, a production by La Semeuse which will revisit the story of the heroine of Nice in the purest tradition of commedia dell’arte. Among the international offerings, the Canadian company Les Productions Drôle de Monde will present “Cent Détours” (June 13), a masked and clown comedy that addresses current societal issues such as generational shock and women’s rights. Italy will be in the spotlight with notably “Mistero Buffo – La Fame” (June 14), a masterpiece by Dario Fo performed by Matthias Martelli, and “Il Cavaliere di Pietra” (June 14), a poetic and fantastic fresco inspired by Carlo Gozzi. The Ecole Supérieure Internationale d’Art Dramatique (ESIAD) of Versailles will present two shows, including “The Cyclops” after Euripides, which will close the festival on June 17 and 18 in the parks of the Moulins and Ariane districts.
Practical information
The 11th Nice International Commedia dell’Arte Festival will take place from June 5 to 18, 2026 in Nice and Carros. Detailed programming, locations and ticketing information are available on the event’s official website: www.commedia-nice.com. Reservations for paid shows are made online. For any information, the public can contact the organization on 04 93 80 34 12.
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