The Queen's Little JewelBox Theatre

Restored in 2001, but not open to the public until now, the Petit Theatre de la Reine (the Queen's little theatre), one of the finest historic theatres in Europe, is a true jewel (bijou) hidden amid the greenery of the Trianon gardens, which now reveals a little-known side of Marie-Antoinette's life. The Archduchess of Austria learned how to act in preparation for her marriage to the Dauphin of France, the future Louis XVI. Her mother, Empress Maria Theresa, had her surrounded by French actors in order to improve her French pronunciation. Marie-Antoinette adored the theatre, to the point of later daring to have The Marriage of Figaro by Beaumarchais played at the Petit Trianon, even though it had been banned by the king. The delightful little theatre built for her in 1778-79, is a jewelbox, with blue hangings, decorative pasteboard sculptures, a gold-embroidered silk taffeta curtain and a huge stage larger than the auditorium. Here she performed pieces by her favourite authors in the King's presence and in front of members of her inner circle and sometimes in company with some who regularly played opposite her. She played soubrettes or shepherdesses before her servants who, in a reversal of roles, applauded the Troupe des Seigneurs (Lord's Troupe).