Today, Teatro Paisiello in Lecce hosts CIRCE: LE ORIGINI, written and performed by Alessandra Fallucchi and directed by Marcella Favilla, bringing to a close MITIKA – Teatro e Mito nella contemporaneità, the theatre programme curated by Aletheia Teatro under the artistic direction of Carla Guido.

The performance forms part of Armonie del Mediterraneo – Viaggi, Miti e Ritorni, the cultural programme conceived and promoted by the Euromediterranean Cultural Heritage Agency in partnership with the Municipality of Lecce.

Doors open at 8.30 p.m. 
Curtain up at 9.00 p.m.
Admission is free, subject to venue capacity.

On stage, the myth of Circe is reimagined through a powerful contemporary lens, offering a distinctly female perspective that transforms the heroine's story into a journey of personal growth, self-discovery and empowerment. Rather than focusing on her encounter with Odysseus, the performance explores Circe's earlier life as the daughter of Helios, the Sun god, and the nymph Perseis—a figure set apart from the other gods by her compassion and her deep understanding of human suffering.

Banished to the island of Aeaea, Circe gradually forges her own identity, developing an intimate knowledge of herbs, nature and the extraordinary powers she possesses. Both enigmatic and strikingly contemporary, she confronts love, fear and inner conflict before facing the defining choice between the divine and the mortal worlds.

The production captures the richness and complexity of a character who is at once woman, nymph, sorceress, lover and symbol of freedom and transformation. In this interpretation, Circe emerges as an enduring embodiment of feminine strength, whose voice continues to resonate with contemporary audiences.

The production is presented by Zerkalo.

The creative team also includes Sara Bianchi (set and costume design), Giuseppe Filippone (lighting design), Fabrizio Federici (movement direction), with Chiara Anzelmo and Lorenza Molina serving as assistant directors. The soundtrack features music by Massive Attack.

With CIRCE: LE ORIGINI, Armonie in Scena, the theatre strand of Armonie del Mediterraneo, comes to its conclusion. Through the MITIKA programme, audiences have experienced three compelling productions—Dedalo e Icaro, oltre il volo, Agamennone and CIRCE: LE ORIGINI—each offering a fresh interpretation of classical mythology. Together, these performances have revealed the enduring relevance of ancient myths, transforming timeless figures into powerful reflections on identity, destiny, human vulnerability and the universal longing for freedom.