About
“As time blurs, a story from the twentieth century resurfaces with force. In the second millennium, it seems that certain truths still need to be explored.” –Lea Ferrari, playwright
Valchera's was commissioned and produced as part of the celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the Unione Ticinese (UT), one of the oldest and largest Swiss associations in London.
The play is named after the former eponymous restaurant owned by a Swiss-Italian family, a few doors down from Richmond Station. It explores the themes of emigration from the often-forgotten perspective of women.
In a city as diverse as London, where countless stories of migration intersect, we witness the journeys of Tina and Iride. Through their lenses, Valchera’s speaks to anyone who has ever left their home to start a new life. This play is not just a reflection on the past, but a vital conversation about the ongoing struggles and triumphs of migrants today.
The events and characters in this play are loosely based on historical places and facts. While inspired by real events, certain elements have been altered or fictionalised for dramatic purposes. Any inaccuracies or deviations from historical records should not be interpreted as a factual representation of history.
We believe this story is universal, transcending borders and time, and we are committed to sharing it with as many people as possible – in London and beyond.
Our story: How Valchera's came about
As part of the 150th Jubilee of the Unione Ticinese, one of the largest Swiss societies in London, a callout for a new play was launched in the autumn of 2023.
This initiative, which aimed to commemorate the significant anniversary by exploring the theme of emigration, was widely advertised in both Switzerland and the UK and was supported and promoted by several cultural organisations, including Luminanza, the Associazione Svizzera degli Scrittori di Lingua Italiana (ASSI), the Federation of Swiss Societies in the UK, SwissCommunity (Organisation of the Swiss Abroad) and Pro Ticino.
The open call yielded 11 submissions, which were subsequently reviewed by a jury of experts in playwrighting, literature, performing arts, and emigration.
After a rigorous selection process, Valchera's by Lea Ferrari was chosen from the shortlisted entries as the winning play.
Jury Members included: Alan Alpenfelt, Bindu de Stoppani, Mattia Bertoldi, Renato Martinoni, Santuzza Oberholzer and Vanni Bianconi.
Meet the team
This project unites a collective of Swiss artists, all bound by a shared journey from Switzerland to the UK, much like the characters of Valchera’s. We’ve each left behind familiar landscapes in pursuit of new horizons, and this passion project has become our common ground. Through this play, we weave together our experiences, celebrating the enduring connection between Switzerland and the UK, and inviting audiences to reflect on the universal themes of migration, identity, and belonging.
cast
Nabila Dolfini
Playing Iride, Co-Producer
Nabila is a film and theatre actor. Proficient in five languages, her recent credits include studio and independent productions. She wrote, produced, and starred in the film ‘Dalia?’ which delves into themes of identity and self-discovery. Originally from Switzerland, she is based in London and graduated at GFCA. She is a co-producer for Valchera’s
Martina Greenwood
Playing Tina, Co-Producer
Martina is a Swiss-British multilingual actor based in London. She graduated with distinction from ACT Brighton and has since worked in theatre, film and TV. Martina has produced and performed 4* plays at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and is a co-producer for Valchera’s. She also has experience in comedy, multi-roling, and working with different accents.
creative team
Lea Ferrari
Playwright
Lea is the winner of the UT 150th anniversary new writing callout. She is a Swiss agronomist from the Blenio Valley, doing spatial planning for a living. As a third generation graduate of Luminanza (a reactor for Swiss contemporary drama in the Italian language) she wrote the play "La Scuola Ticinese."
Marinella Mezzanotte
Translator
Marinella has been translating Italian into English across media for 12 years. Her translation of the YA novel Amarantha was published in 2021. In the same year, she contributed an original monologue to the podcast series Fully Amplified, curated by Futures Theatre. Valchera's is her third theatre translation.
Jonny Danciger
Lighting Designer
Jonny is a technical designer and stage director from London. He has over 50 professional video, sound & lighting design credits at venues including the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, Birmingham Old Rep and London's Peacock Theatre. He specialises in incorporating projection into operatic performance. As an installation artist, his technology-focused work has been developed with ArtHouse Jersey and Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum.
Alan Alpenfelt
Director
Alan is a Swiss performance, radio and installation artist, theatre director, community & youth radio empowerer, dj, record producer, music selector, CELTA English teacher. As of 2021, he coordinates Luminanza – a reactor for Swiss contemporary drama in the Italian language. He co-won the Swiss prize for the Performing Arts in 2022 for his networking activities.
Noemi Ferrari
Movement Coach, Access Worker
Noemi is a Swiss performer, performing arts accessibility facilitator and pediatric occupational therapist. Her approach starts from accessibility and inclusion as a form of art and resistance. Her practice is audience based and inspired by the observation of nature and space. She likes puns and the space between the ground and the feet during a jump or an idea.
Emilie Martioni Hoogenboom
Co-Producer
Emilie is the current president of the Unione Ticinese (UT), where she is dedicated to promoting the interests of Ticinese living in London, descendants of emigrants, and anyone with a connection to Ticino. While her day job often takes place in theatres, they are of the medical kind, as she practices as a consultant anaesthetist at University College London Hospital (UCLH).
Vittorio Parri
Assistant Director, Stage Manager
Vittorio is a Swiss-Italian assistant Director and director based in London. His idea of theatre is that of a mirror in which we can look into with no shame or judgment. The Valchera’s project, is a chance for him to connect to his background as a migrant artist in London. He is the founder of Migraine Theatre Company.
Matteo Luoni
Dramaturg
Matteo is a playwright from Milan, Italy. His works have been played across Italy and at important European theatre festivals, such as the Festival d'Avignon (Elettra - Santa Estasi, 2016) and the Biennale Teatro di Venezia (Elia Kazan. Confessione americana, 2020). Since 2021, he is tutor and co-coordinator of the educational project for young Swiss-Italian playwrights, Luminanza.
Loredana Guetg-Wyatt
Co-Producer
Loredana is the current president of FOSSUK, the Federation of the Swiss Societies and clubs in the United Kingdom and Delegate to the Council of the Swiss Abroad. She is an experienced Board member and she specialises in supporting global businesses and not for profit organisations complying with regulatory requirements.
communications team
Léonore Lavorel
Head of Marketing & PR
Leonore is the current president of the New Helvetic Society, the social and cultural Swiss club in London. As an experienced communications specialist with a background in marketing and project management, she leads promotional strategies for the play, leveraging her skills in digital engagement, event management, and creative storytelling to elevate Swiss culture and traditions abroad.
Louise Bassou
Branding & Strategy Consultant
Louise is a creative and communication professional based between London, Geneva and Paris, with a passion for capturing identity. A visiting tutor at Arts University Bournemouth and Communication Manager for international art galleries, Louise’s creative persuits include illustrative work, focussing on blending print, pattern, and self-expression in unique, creative projects.
Mia Elkouby
PR Consultant
Mia is a PR professional with a passion for theatre and over two years of experience in London’s PR scene. An LSE graduate with a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, she brings strategic insight and a love for the arts to her work, helping projects connect with wider audiences.
Partners
Valchera’s is produced by the Unione Ticinese with the kind support of the Embassy of Switzerland in the United Kingdom, Presence Switzerland, Repubblica e Cantone Ticino (Fondo Swisslos), and Pro Ticino. In collaboration with New Helvetic Society, FOSSUK, and SwissCommunity.
Special thanks to Alan Koprivec (drone operator), Azienda Agricola Alnéid (cheese provider), D & F Erba (donors), Paolo Paparesta (poster photographer), Peter Barber (historian), Sparkling Co (website & IT support), Trickster P.