Zelig Lab di Bologna

For eight consecutive seasons, Zelig Lab Bologna was one of the most forward-thinking projects in the Italian comedy scene.

As the official workshop of Zelig – a TV show that was hugely popular in Italy in the early 2000s – it was conceived, organised, and led by Gaetano Lanza, becoming both a training ground for aspiring comedians and a springboard for many artists who later became household names on national television.
Thanks to the collaboration with authors Bruno Furnari and Gigi Saronni, the Bologna workshop quickly became, alongside its Milan counterpart, the most attended in the country – with sold-out venues and a constant flow of emerging talents eager to take part.

In this context, Lanza played a pivotal, multi-faceted role: organiser, co-writer, and official host. His versatility was widely recognised by performers, audiences, and the show’s national creative team.

Zelig Lab Bologna was more than a workshop: it was a visionary project that established itself as a key space for nurturing Italy’s new generation of comedic talent – and a testament to Lanza’s ability to design and deliver high-impact cultural initiatives.