Journey to the Center of the Earth
Jul 14 - Jul 14, 2026
Via Guglielmo Oberdan, 15, Gorizia
Classic illustration from Jules Verne's original novel depicting the wonders hidden beneath the Earth's surface.
A Spellbinding Reimagining of Jules Verne's Masterpiece
Journey to the Center of the Earth (Viaggio al centro della Terra) is a captivating theatrical production that transforms Jules Verne's timeless science fiction classic into a contemporary adventure blending live performance with cutting-edge video animation. This 60-minute show, created especially for families and children aged 5 and up, represents a bold artistic endeavor that bridges traditional storytelling with innovative digital technology, offering young audiences an unforgettable introduction to the wonders of live theater. The production is scheduled for July 14, 2026 at Via Guglielmo Oberdan, 15 in Gorizia, as a highlight of the Verdi d'Estate 2026 summer festival — itself an integral part of the groundbreaking GO! 2025 European Capital of Culture program.
What makes this production truly special is its remarkable ability to speak to multiple generations simultaneously. Children are drawn into a world of adventure, puzzles, and fantastical creatures presented through a language they immediately understand — that of video games and digital wonder — while adults appreciate the sophisticated theatrical craft, the clever reimagining of a beloved literary classic, and the profound themes of friendship, courage, and self-discovery woven throughout the narrative. The show serves as a perfect gateway for families to experience live performing arts together, creating shared memories that last long after the final curtain call.
The Story — A Contemporary Hero's Journey Underground
From Page to Stage: Reimagining a Literary Classic
The theatrical adaptation takes Jules Verne's 1864 masterpiece and reframes it through a thoroughly modern lens. In the original novel, Professor Otto Lidenbrock discovers an ancient manuscript containing coded directions to the center of the Earth, written by the 16th-century Icelandic alchemist Arne Saknussemm. Together with his reluctant nephew Axel and the stoic Icelandic guide Hans Bjelke, the professor descends into the crater of Snæfellsjökull volcano in Iceland, embarking on an extraordinary expedition through volcanic tunnels, subterranean forests, prehistoric seas, and encounters with ancient creatures — ultimately emerging through an eruption of Stromboli in Sicily.
Snæfellsjökull volcano in Iceland — the legendary starting point of the subterranean adventure in Verne's novel.
In this bold theatrical reimagining, the story undergoes a fascinating transformation that speaks directly to contemporary young audiences. Axel becomes a modern boy — a video game enthusiast more comfortable navigating digital worlds than facing the challenges of real life. When his uncle discovers an ancient manuscript describing a mysterious passage to the center of the Earth, Axel finds himself catapulted into an adventure unlike any video game he has ever played — except this time, the dangers are real, the stakes are genuine, and there is no reset button to press when things get difficult.
A Virtual Quest with Real Consequences
Accompanied by Hans, an improbable and endearing travel companion, and guided by a delightfully over-the-top artificial intelligence, Axel must navigate through increasingly challenging levels, solve complex enigmas, and face extraordinary subterranean creatures on a path that becomes a profound journey of growth and courage. The video game metaphor is woven seamlessly throughout the production, creating a framework that young audience members recognize instantly while gradually revealing the deeper truth — that real-life adventures, with all their uncertainty and risk, offer rewards that no virtual experience can match.
The Panta Rei Group performing — showcasing their signature energy and commitment to innovative theatrical storytelling.
The narrative arc follows Axel's transformation from a boy who retreats into the safety of screens to a young person who discovers his own capacity for bravery, resilience, and genuine human connection. Along the way, the show explores profound themes of friendship and self-discovery, using a comedic style that keeps audiences laughing while delivering an emotionally resonant message about the importance of stepping outside one's comfort zone. The production ensures full audience engagement through its combination of comical performances and spectacular special effects, creating moments of collective wonder that remind us why live theater remains an irreplaceable art form.
The Panta Rei Group — Pioneers of Digital Theater
A Company Defined by Innovation and Wonder
The Panta Rei Group (Gruppo Panta Rei), founded in 2007 in Mussolente, Vicenza, has established itself as one of Italy's most forward-thinking theater companies, earning recognition as a "Compagnia di interesse nazionale" (Company of National Interest). The company's name — drawn from Heraclitus's ancient Greek philosophy meaning "everything flows" — perfectly encapsulates their artistic vision: a theater that constantly evolves, adapts, and surprises.
The Panta Rei Group's distinctive theatrical craft — blending acting, puppetry, and visual innovation.
From their base in the Veneto region, the company has developed a distinctive artistic identity centered on what they describe as a passionate belief in "wonder, craftsmanship, dreaming a story and inhabiting it." Their mission is deceptively simple yet profoundly ambitious: to gift audiences with stories that are both captivating and meaningful, pursuing a theater capable of astonishing viewers while enriching their imagination with new narratives and scenarios, all while addressing themes central to contemporary society.
A Tradition of Award-Winning Excellence
The Panta Rei Group's reputation for excellence is built on a solid foundation of critically acclaimed productions and prestigious awards. Their adaptation of Alice in Wonderland (Alice nel Paese delle Meraviglie) won both the Best Show Award and Best Set Design Award at the Europuppet Festival 2022. Their stunning production of The Jungle Book (Il libro della giungla), which also employed innovative digital live imaging techniques, was honored with the Premio Nazionale Otello Sarzi 2023 — one of Italy's most prestigious awards in children's theater.
A performer from the Panta Rei Group in their award-winning Alice in Wonderland production.
Their production of Pollicina (Thumbelina) was selected for the Premio Città dei Bambini 2025 at the Festival Internazionale I Teatri del Mondo, further cementing their status as a company consistently operating at the highest level of theatrical craft for young audiences. Each of these productions has contributed to the company's growth, allowing them to push boundaries and explore new territories in the intersection of live performance and digital technology.
The Digital Arts Research Program
Journey to the Center of the Earth represents the latest chapter in the Panta Rei Group's ongoing research program in the digital visual arts. Following the groundbreaking work begun with The Jungle Book (Il libro della giungla), this production pushes the boundaries even further by making the actors themselves the creative engine for generating visual and sonic landscapes through their movements on stage. This innovative approach offers audiences a unique perspective through which to explore the wonders of Jules Verne's novel — a subterranean world rich in marvels and unparalleled adventures.
The intersection of live performance and digital projection mapping — central to the Panta Rei Group's artistic vision.
The technology is not merely decorative but integral to the storytelling. As the actors move, their gestures and positions trigger responsive visual and audio elements that transform the stage into a living, breathing environment. One moment, the stage might be the rocky interior of a volcanic crater; the next, a vast underground ocean teeming with prehistoric life. This motion-reactive approach creates a uniquely immersive experience where the boundary between performer and environment dissolves, allowing the audience to feel truly transported into the story's fantastical settings.
The Creative Team and Cast
Visionary Direction
The production is co-directed by Paolo Bergamo and Barbara Scalco, the artistic leaders who have guided the Panta Rei Group's creative vision for years. Their collaborative directing approach brings together complementary sensibilities — Bergamo's bold visual imagination and Scalco's refined narrative instincts — resulting in productions that are simultaneously spectacular and emotionally grounded. Together, they have shaped the company's signature aesthetic: technically ambitious yet always human-centered, visually stunning yet narratively coherent.
The Performers — Three Actors, Infinite Worlds
On stage, three remarkably versatile actors bring the story to vivid life through a combination of live acting and seamless interaction with the production's video animation systems:
| Guido Sciarroni | A core company member known for his physical comedy and expressive range. |
| Davide Lazzaretto | An acclaimed actor celebrated for his versatility across genres and styles. |
| Marco Mattiazzo | A dynamic performer bringing energy and charisma to every role. |
These three performers carry the entire production on their shoulders, navigating complex choreography that requires them to hit precise marks for the digital systems while simultaneously delivering emotionally authentic performances. Their ability to interact with invisible digital elements while maintaining genuine connection with the audience is a testament to their extraordinary skill and dedication to their craft.
The Design Team — Crafting a Subterranean Universe
Behind the scenes, a talented team of designers and technicians has created the show's immersive world:
| Text / Dramaturgy | Barbara Scalco |
| Direction | Paolo Bergamo & Barbara Scalco |
| Cast | Guido Sciarroni, Davide Lazzaretto, Marco Mattiazzo |
| Set Design & Lighting | Davide Stocchero |
| Video Animations | Studio Fortissimi |
| Costumes | Sofia Marcante |
| Original Music | Leonardo Tosini |
Davide Stocchero's lighting and set design creates an environment that seamlessly bridges physical and digital space, using light as both a practical illumination tool and a storytelling device. Studio Fortissimi's video animations transform the stage into an ever-shifting landscape of wonder, from volcanic craters to crystalline caverns to prehistoric oceans. Sofia Marcante's costumes ground the fantastical elements in tangible reality, giving each character a distinctive visual identity. Leonardo Tosini's original musical score provides an emotional throughline, heightening moments of tension, wonder, and comedy with perfectly calibrated sonic textures.
The Venue — Palazzo de Grazia, Gorizia
A Historic Setting for Contemporary Art
The performance takes place at Via Guglielmo Oberdan, 15 in Gorizia, at the magnificent Palazzo de Grazia — one of the city's most significant historic buildings. In case of inclement weather, performances are moved to the concert hall of Palazzo de Grazia, ensuring that audiences can enjoy the show regardless of conditions.
The elegant facade of Palazzo de Grazia, one of Gorizia's most significant historic palaces.
Palazzo de Grazia stands as a testament to Gorizia's rich architectural heritage, with a history spanning three centuries of artistic and cultural significance. The palace has been carefully preserved and adapted to serve as a contemporary cultural venue, offering an ideal setting for events that bridge the historic and the modern — making it the perfect home for a show that reimagines a 19th-century literary classic through 21st-century theatrical technology.
The charming garden courtyard of Palazzo de Grazia — a magical setting for summer performances under the stars.
The Verdi d'Estate 2026 Festival
Journey to the Center of the Earth is presented as part of Verdi d'Estate 2026, Gorizia's beloved summer festival dedicated to children and families. Under the artistic direction of Walter Mramor, the festival transforms the internal garden of Palazzo de Grazia into a theater under the stars on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer.
The 2026 edition has expanded significantly — growing from six to nine performances — reflecting the festival's popularity and the city's commitment to providing quality cultural programming for young audiences. Mayor Rodolfo Ziberna emphasizes that the festival "offers families occasions of quality to experience together," while Councilor for Culture Fabrizio Oreti notes that the program is designed to be "rich, accessible, and capable of speaking to different ages."
The elegant interior hall of Palazzo de Grazia — the alternative venue in case of inclement weather.
The complete Verdi d'Estate 2026 program includes:
| June 17 | Who's Afraid of Iron Teeth? | A Turkish folk legend about courage and growing up. |
| July 8 | The Great Ventriloquini | Theater of figures, magic, and comedy. |
| July 14 | Journey to the Center of the Earth | The Panta Rei Group's technological-pop reimagining. |
| July 22 | Alice in Wonderland | Lewis Carroll's classic revisited. |
| July 29 | The Turtle's Dream | An African fairy tale about believing in one's dreams. |
| August 5 | Peter and the Wolf | Prokofiev's beloved musical tale reimagined. |
| August 12 | The Gods of Olympus | Greek mythology for young audiences. |
GO! 2025 — The Borderless European Capital of Culture
A Cross-Border Cultural Revolution
Journey to the Center of the Earth forms part of the extraordinary cultural program of GO! 2025, the first-ever cross-border European Capital of Culture, jointly hosted by Nova Gorica (Slovenia) and Gorizia (Italy). This historic designation represents a revolutionary approach to the European Capital of Culture concept, transforming what was once a divided border zone into a vibrant laboratory for cultural exchange and creative collaboration.
The GO! 2025 installation — symbolizing the first-ever cross-border European Capital of Culture.
The GO! 2025 program, which runs under the evocative slogan "Go! Borderless," explores the concept of borders from multiple dimensions — physical, cultural, psychological, and creative. With over 140 events backed by 40 municipalities from both countries, the program has transformed the border region into a dynamic space where Slovenian and Italian cultures meet, merge, and create something entirely new.
The Nova Gorica municipal building illuminated during the R.o.R festival — a symbol of the city's cultural renaissance.
The ECoC District — Where Two Cities Become One
At the heart of GO! 2025 lies the ECoC District, a kilometer-long strip along the former border that has been transformed into a vibrant neighborhood of creativity. The district features iconic venues including the Transalpina/Europa Square — once a symbol of division, now a meeting place — and the EPICenter, housed in renovated railway warehouses, which serves as a permanent platform for interpreting the complex history of the 20th century in this borderland region.
A breathtaking panoramic view of Gorizia from the castle — showcasing the city's beauty and heritage.
Cultural Programming That Transcends Boundaries
The GO! 2025 program spans an extraordinary range of cultural expressions — from contemporary art exhibitions and film festivals to dance performances, electronic music concerts, and theater productions like Journey to the Center of the Earth. The initiative encourages the interplay of different themes: fashion, ecology, sustainable development, architecture, cuisine, technology, and sport — all unified by a commitment to transcending borders and creating anew.
Gorizia's beautiful Piazza della Vittoria — the heart of this charming border city.
By presenting this innovative theatrical production within the GO! 2025 framework, the organizers underscore the program's commitment to programming that is accessible, innovative, and borderless — theater that speaks to young audiences in a contemporary language while honoring the literary heritage that belongs to all of Europe.
About Jules Verne — The Father of Science Fiction
A Visionary Whose Imagination Shaped the Future
No discussion of this production would be complete without acknowledging the extraordinary legacy of Jules Verne (1828–1905), the French author, poet, and playwright whose visionary works established the foundations of modern science fiction. When Journey to the Center of the Earth (Voyage au centre de la Terre) was first published in 1864, it captured the imagination of readers at a time when scientific discovery and exploration were transforming humanity's understanding of the world.
Jules Verne (1828–1905) — the visionary French author whose works continue to inspire artists and audiences worldwide.
Verne's genius lay in his ability to weave rigorous scientific research with breathtaking adventure narratives, creating stories that were simultaneously educational and thrilling. He wrote over 60 novels, many of which — including Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas, Around the World in Eighty Days, and From the Earth to the Moon — have become cornerstones of world literature, translated into more than 100 languages.
The author's profound belief in the possibilities of science and technology made him a true visionary for his time. He imagined submarines, space travel, and television decades before they became reality. Journey to the Center of the Earth emerged during a period of intense public fascination with geology and paleontology, when new discoveries about the age and structure of our planet were challenging long-held beliefs. Verne channeled this excitement into a narrative that made cutting-edge science accessible and exhilarating for ordinary readers.
A Story That Transcends Time
What makes Verne's work eternally relevant is his focus on universal human themes — the thirst for knowledge, the courage to face the unknown, the bonds forged through shared adversity, and the transformative power of adventure. The relationship between the impulsive Professor Lidenbrock, the cautious but loyal Axel, and the steadfast Hans speaks to the dynamics of any team undertaking a difficult journey. The novel reminds us that the greatest discoveries often require us to venture beyond our comfort zones — a message that resonates as powerfully today as it did in 1864.
Practical Information for Visitors
Event Details
| Title | Journey to the Center of the Earth (Viaggio al centro della Terra) |
| Date | July 14, 2026 |
| Venue | Via Guglielmo Oberdan, 15, Gorizia (Palazzo de Grazia) |
| Rain Venue | Concert hall of Palazzo de Grazia |
| Duration | Approximately 60 minutes |
| Recommended Age | 5 years and up |
| Category | Dance & Theatre, Family Entertainment |
| Techniques | Live acting and video animations |
Tickets and Booking
Tickets for Journey to the Center of the Earth can be purchased through the Teatro Comunale Giuseppe Verdi di Gorizia box office and online platforms. As part of the Verdi d'Estate festival, tickets are affordably priced to ensure accessibility for all families. Early booking is highly recommended, as performances by the Panta Rei Group consistently sell out due to their popularity and critical acclaim.
Contact Information:
- Teatro Verdi Gorizia: www.teatroverdi.gorizia.it
- GO! 2025 Events: www.go2025.eu
Getting to Gorizia
Gorizia is easily accessible from multiple directions:
- From Nova Gorica (Slovenia): The two cities are seamlessly connected — simply walk across the border.
- From Trieste: Approximately 40 minutes by car or train.
- From Udine: Approximately 50 minutes by car or train.
- From Ljubljana: Approximately 1.5 hours by car.
- From Venice: Approximately 1.5 hours by train.
Why You Shouldn't Miss This Show
Journey to the Center of the Earth by the Panta Rei Group represents everything that makes contemporary theater exciting: it honors a beloved literary classic while speaking in a thoroughly modern voice; it deploys cutting-edge technology in service of genuine human storytelling; it creates a space where children and adults can share in wonder and discovery; and it embodies the borderless, innovative spirit of GO! 2025.
Whether you are a longtime fan of Jules Verne's work, a family looking for meaningful cultural experiences, or simply someone who believes in the transformative power of live performance, this production offers something rare and precious — a journey that begins in a theater in Gorizia and continues in your imagination long after you return home.
Press "start" on this extraordinary adventure. The center of the Earth awaits.