The Gods of Olympus

The Myths Come Alive

The show introduces children to three of the most powerful and enduring myths of ancient Greece:

The Story of Prometheus

Prometheus, the Titan who dared to bring fire to humanity

Prometheus was one of the great Titans of Greek mythology, a being of extraordinary intelligence and a champion of mankind. According to the ancient myths recorded by Hesiod, when the gods and mortals gathered at Mecone to settle their accounts, Prometheus played a clever trick on Zeus. He placed two offerings before the king of the gods: delicious beef hidden inside a revolting ox stomach, and bones wrapped in gleaming fat. Zeus chose the bones, and from that day forward, humans kept the best meat for themselves, offering only bones to the gods.

Enraged by this deception, Zeus withheld fire from humanity. But Prometheus, ever the protector of mortals, stole fire from Hephaestus's workshop, carrying it in a hollow fennel stalk down from Olympus to Earth. This gift of fire brought warmth, cooking, and the spark of civilisation to humankind. For this act of defiance, Zeus chained Prometheus to a rock in the Caucasus Mountains, where an eagle would devour his liver each day, only for it to grow back each night. Prometheus endured this torment for ages until the hero Heracles finally freed him.

The myth of Prometheus has resonated through millennia as a powerful symbol of sacrifice, rebellion against tyranny, and the transformative power of knowledge. In this production, children will discover why this Titan remains one of the most beloved figures in all of mythology.

The Journey of Odysseus (Ulysses)

Odysseus (Ulysses), the cleverest of the Greek heroes

Odysseus, known as Ulysses in Roman tradition, was the most cunning and resourceful of all the Greek heroes who fought in the Trojan War. While warriors like Achilles were known for their strength, Odysseus was celebrated for his brilliant mind. His most famous contribution to the war was the ingenious stratagem of the Trojan Horse — a giant wooden horse built by the craftsman Epeius and filled with Greek soldiers. When the Trojans, believing it to be a divine gift, wheeled the horse inside their city walls, Odysseus and his men emerged at night to open the gates, leading to the fall of Troy.

But the story of Odysseus extends far beyond the Trojan War. Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey, recounts his perilous ten-year journey home to Ithaca, where his faithful wife Penelope awaited him. Along the way, he outwitted the Cyclops Polyphemus, resisted the enchantments of the sorceress Circe, navigated past the seductive Sirens, and faced countless other dangers that tested his wit and will. Through these adventures, Odysseus became the archetype of the intelligent hero — proof that courage comes in many forms, and that a sharp mind can overcome even the greatest obstacles.

The Tragic Tale of Orpheus

Orpheus and Eurydice in the Underworld, by Pieter Fris

Orpheus was the greatest musician ever to live, a poet and lyre player whose divine melodies could move not only every living creature but even the stones and trees themselves. Born as the son of the Muse Calliope and the Thracian king Oeagrus (or, in some traditions, Apollo himself), Orpheus received his first lyre from Apollo and was taught to play music of transcendent beauty.

His love story with the nymph Eurydice is one of the most moving tales in all of mythology. Shortly after their marriage, Eurydice tragically died from a snakebite. Overcome with grief, Orpheus made the impossible journey to the Underworld, armed only with his lyre. His music was so powerful that it charmed Cerberus, the three-headed guardian dog, moved the ferryman Charon, and even softened the hearts of Hades and Persephone, the rulers of the dead. They granted him permission to lead Eurydice back to the world of the living on one condition: he must not look back at her until they had both reached the surface.

As they ascended, Orpheus, unable to hear her footsteps behind him, was seized by doubt. Just steps from freedom, he turned to look — and in that moment, Eurydice was lost to him forever. The myth of Orpheus and Eurydice has inspired countless works of art, music, and literature across three thousand years, from the earliest operas to modern theatre, serving as an eternal meditation on love, loss, trust, and the power of art itself.

The Creative Team

The elegant interior of the Teatro Comunale Giuseppe Verdi

Direction by Edoardo Fainello

The show is directed by Edoardo Fainello, an acclaimed Italian director, playwright, actor, and composer with an extraordinary career spanning decades. As the artistic director of the Teatro Lorenzo Da Ponte in Vittorio Veneto and head of the Accademia Teatrale Lorenzo Da Ponte, Fainello has directed over 30 major productions ranging from classical Greek tragedies like The Trojans by Euripides and The Persians by Aeschylus to Shakespearean masterpieces including Hamlet, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and The Merchant of Venice.

Beyond directing, Fainello is also an accomplished playwright with numerous original works to his name, including Centovite, Narcissus (2nd prize at the National Dramaturgy Competition DCQ), and L'ultima baccante (1st prize at the Plautus Off New Dramaturgies). He has also composed original music for many of his productions, bringing a unique artistic vision that integrates theatrical storytelling with musical elements. His pedagogical approach combines deep artistic insight with a genuine passion for introducing young audiences to the wonders of classical culture.

Production by Bottega Rea — Centro Teatrale Da Ponte

The production is brought to the stage by Bottega Rea, the resident company of the Centro Teatrale Da Ponte in Vittorio Veneto (Treviso). This renowned theatre company specialises in creating high-quality theatrical experiences for audiences of all ages, combining classical texts with innovative staging and original music. Their productions consistently demonstrate a commitment to cultural education through entertainment, making complex stories accessible and engaging for young viewers.

The Performers

The show features a talented trio of young performers:

• Davide Ostan — A versatile actor and musician who brings the wild energy of Pan to life on stage
• Bianca Padoin — An accomplished performer and playwright who co-authored the show's original adaptation (alongside Racconti dall'Olimpo, another production about Greek myths for young audiences)
• Eleonora Ruzza — A dynamic performer who also contributes to the creative development of productions, having co-authored Racconti dall'Olimpo with Padoin

All three performers are under 25 years old, showcasing the remarkable young talent emerging from Italy's vibrant theatre scene. Together, they play all the characters in the show, demonstrating impressive versatility and transformation skills.

Part of GO! 2025 — European Capital of Culture

GO! 2025 — The first cross-border European Capital of Culture

This performance is presented as part of GO! 2025, the groundbreaking initiative that sees Nova Gorica (Slovenia) and Gorizia (Italy) jointly serving as the European Capital of Culture — the very first cross-border European Capital of Culture in history. The GO! 2025 programme celebrates the unique identity of this borderless region through hundreds of cultural events spanning theatre, music, visual arts, literature, and more.

By hosting productions like The Gods of Olympus, GO! 2025 demonstrates its commitment to family-friendly programming that makes culture accessible to audiences of all ages. This show perfectly embodies the initiative's spirit of cultural exchange and shared heritage, bringing together Italian theatrical excellence with the universal stories of Greek mythology that form the foundation of European civilisation.

More Mythological Adventures by the Same Company

If your family falls in love with The Gods of Olympus, you'll be delighted to discover that Bottega Rea and Centro Teatrale Da Ponte have created an entire series of shows bringing classic stories to life for young audiences:

• Racconti dall'Olimpo — Another Greek mythology show featuring stories of Ariadne's thread and Pandora's box
• Alice in Wonderland — A musical adaptation of Lewis Carroll's beloved tale (also playing at Teatro Verdi as part of GO! 2025)
• The Frog Prince — A musical journey through Italy featuring the classic fairy tale
• Fiaba in Scatola (Twelfth Night) — Shakespeare's comedy adapted for ages 4 and up

All productions share the same commitment to quality, combining theatrical performance with live music and the talents of the same core creative team.

The timeless tradition of Greek mythology on stage continues