Translated and directed by Carlotta Brentan 

★★★★★ Stage To Page	★★★★★ London Theatre Reviews	★★★★★ Lost in Theatreland
★★★★ Adventures In Theatreland	★★★★ The Spy in the Stalls	★★★★ Curtain Call Reviews
★★★★ Operation Live Theatre	★★★★ LondonTheatre1	★★★★ Broadway World

 

Hide and Seek is a moving and darkly entertaining play that pits two teenage boys against each other in the face of the contagious prejudice of their small Italian town. Gio, who has never felt accepted by anyone - not by parents, teachers or peers - decides to disappear and hide out in a secluded cave. When his popular classmate Mirko discovers him, Gio enlists him as an accomplice, convincing him to preserve his secret despite the media frenzy over his disappearance. The boys embark on an unexpected journey towards self-discovery and acceptance, setting in motion a series of dramatic consequences. 

The play shines a light on bullying, homophobia and the power of social media, exploring how discriminatory voices can deeply impact young minds. It highlights how being yourself is still a risky proposition in our society when it comes to sexual orientation and independent thought. 

Tobia Rossi is one of Italy’s foremost playwrights. Hide and Seek won the 2019 Mario Fratti Award at In Scena! Italian Theater Festival NY. The worldwide premiere of the English translation was presented in May 2022 at The Tank, NYC. This production transfers from VAULT Festival 2023 where it was first performed in front of a British audience. 

 

★★★★★ ‘An incredibly thought-provoking show that left the audience speechless…will stick with me for a long time’ Stage To Page

★★★★★ ‘Engaging and exciting led by its pressing and urgent questions.’ London Theatre Reviews

★★★★★ ‘A gut-punch work. Dispassionate response is an impossibility.’ Lost in Theatreland 

★★★★ ‘Powerfully profound... Hide and Seek is an important voice that speaks to many's personal experiences’ Adventures In Theatreland

★★★★ ‘A real testament to exciting new writing, a brilliantly well-constructed meditation on fantasy and reality’ The Spy in the Stalls

★★★★ ‘Two outstanding actors... in a stellar performance’ Curtain Call Reviews

★★★★ ‘A poignant exploration of self-acceptance amid adversity... fearlessly confronts prevalent issues among youth’ Operation Live Theatre

★★★★ ‘Bold and unflinching’ LondonTheatre1

★★★★ ‘Shocking and darkly comic... a play which is sharply contemporary and yet completely universal’ Broadway World

‘Rossi compellingly explores the difficulties of achieving self-acceptance while battling repression and discrimination.’ The Stage

‘An absorbing two-hander… Very highly recommended.’ Fringe Review

‘The actors, both excellent... consistently engrossing and equally disturbing.’ The Reviews Hub 

‘A naive juvenile romance… morphs into a critique on the weakness of others’ London Box Office