What started out as a massive artistic process to deal with the trauma of WWII has become a tradition. Every summer, the inhabitants of Monticchiello gather to act out their daily life in front of an audience. During months of preparation it is determined which anecdotes and worries are worth adding to the performance. The sense of togetherness in the village is increasingly threatened by external influences. The charming tradition attracts more and more tourists, while the financial malaise continues to seep into the material of some players. Can the village continue to deny the economic reality and resist the call to become a tourist trap? Spettacolo finds its drama in the machinations behind the performance more so than in the spectacle itself. Because of the unique sociological context, these preparations are much more than just a making of. The fact that life itself provides more than enough material for a full-fledged piece has been old news to these villagers for decades. The documentary, however, goes a step further and shows the how and why of that choice of topic, with all its consequences.