The baroque Palace Theater in Ludwigsburg, built as a playhouse under Duke Eberhard Ludwig, was furnished from 1758 under Duke Carl Eugen by Philippe de La Guêpière. Up until 1853 plays were put on there, and it then remained unused for the next one hundred years. It is the oldest preserved palace theater in Europe.
Inside the theater two poles dominate the rather small auditorium - the stage and the prince's box. The discriminating court was entertained at the Palace Theater with fireworks, costumed processions and banquets as part of courtly celebrations. Quite often, Duke Carl Eugen, to whose glory the events on stage usually alluded to classical antiquity, to gods and heros, played the leading role himself.
From 1802 on Duke Friedrich II von Württemberg had the auditorium redecorated by Friedrich Thouret in the classicistic style in accordance with the latest taste of the age. Thouret preferred a more classical amphitheater-like three-dimensional effect.
The sumptuousness of the Ludwigsburg Palace Theater is further increased by the almost completely preserved stage machinery, designed by the theater engineer Johann Christian Keim. The baroque scenery stage still enables a change of scenery on the open stage within seconds. Such technical refinement, sensual effects such as rain and wind machines, a thunder box and charming surprises were a permanent part of baroque theater productions.
With its drive drum, the original large shaft below the stage is the central element for the transformations of the scenery, as it pulls the scenery cart. The tree for this part of the machinery was chopped down in January 1756. The variable upper stage, moving side scenery and a complicated lighting system with open flames completed the ingenious stage machinery.
Over the one hundred years during which the theater was unused, the giant scenery, backdrops and theater curtains also survived in the attic.
|
|
Theater scenery: These can be combined to create sixteen completely preserved scenes and are the only original theater decoration from the German classical age.
After a period of restoration which lasted more than six years, the Ludwigsburg Palace Theater is in operation and plays can be put on there again since 1998. In addition, it is also accessible to the interested public as part of guided tours. Information Tel.: +49-(0)7141-186440 (Schlossverwaltung/Palace Administration).