COMPAGNIA TPO

Compagnia TPO was founded in 1981 as a visual theatre company. From its early years the company produced children's theatre conceived as paintings in movement, making use of artistic objects, mechanical devices, and plays of light.

Since then the group has continued to focus its attention on the figurative arts, with performances for children that have been described as works that bring together theatre and contemporary art. Since 1999, under the direction of Davide Venturini and Francesco Gandi, TPO has been exploring the use of digital graphics, combining traditional theatre with other artistic forms such as dance and video art.

Their experimental work with digital technologies facilitated the development of new modes of interaction between performers and the stage-space, by applying computer-controlled sensors to images and sound.

This process has led to "Children’s Cheering Carpet", a theatrical concept in which performances are conceived as imaginary journeys in "sensory landscapes", where artists dance to images and sounds exploring new ways of telling stories.

The Children’s Cheering Carpet is theatre of the senses, where the audience can also explore the space and take part in an experience of "immersive theatre". It is an environment of play - playing with the arts. The success of this concept has brought international fame to TPO and has opened up new paths for collaboration with a variety of European and now Australian artists (actors, dancers, musicians, writers, engineers, designers and illustrators). This synergy has given rise to projects which put new technologies to artistic use, creating an innovative relationship between children and performers.

Since 2002 the company has taken part in numerous international festivals in Europe, Asia, the Americas and Australia and at present is recognized as one of the most original and outstanding groups for children's theatre in Europe. TPO was awarded the Ade Art Digital Prize (Polverigi) in 2004.

The Children’s Cheering Carpet format has enabled TPO to create performances and interactive installations that children and adults appreciate throughout the world. In 2008, Compagnia TPO were commissioned by the Australian Festival for Young People (Come Out 2009) to collaborate with Australian director Jason Cross and Indigenous artists Lou Bennett, Deon Hastie and Delwyn Mannix and create the 4th CCC work – Saltbush.