The best seat in the house? Which are the best best seats in the best houses? Showbusinessinsights lifts the lid on the most desirable places to ‘see and be seen’ at the theatre: the Royal/Presidential/Imperial Box.

1: The Loge du Roi, Versailles

Opened in 1770, the Versailles Opera House was conceived by the Sun King, Louis XIV and forms part of the Chateau. The opulent interior, which appears to be constructed of marble was,in fact, built of wood to aid the acoustics. Just as celebrities today might value privacy, so too French kings: the Loge du Roi was covered in mesh, ensuring privacy from prying eyes.

2: Imperial Box, The Bolshoi, Moscow

The Bolshoi was originally founded in 1776 by Catherine the Great and remains one of the most famous ballet and opera venues in the world. The Bolshoi was restored at a cost of $700 million, reopening in 2011. The Imperial (or Presidential) Box is surely one of the most stunning in the world.

3: Imperial Loggia, La Fenice, Venice

Literally ‘the phoenix’ in Italian, La Fenice has been rebuilt numerous times. Traviata, Rigoletto and Simon Boccanegra all premiered here. The Royal Box, known at various times as the Imperial Loggia or the Loggia d’Honore, is stunning.

4: Royal Box, Teatro Real, Madrid

One of the most important opera houses in Europe, El Real opened in 1850 and seats 1,746 guests. It has played host to Nijinsky and Stravinsky. It even hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 1969. Whatever the entertainment, its Royal Box is the place to see and be seen.

5: Two Royal Boxes, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London

The Theatre Royal Drury Lane is one of London’s most important theatres. It was here that the public first heard Rule Britannia and the National Anthem. Rebuilt on several occasions, the Theatre Royal has hosted 42nd Street, Miss Saigon and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The Theatre Royal has not one, but two Royal Boxes, following a falling-out between George III and the Prince Regent. Both are luxurious ad visually impressive.

6: Munich Nationaltheater, Royal Box

The Nationaltheater is home to the world-famous Bayerische Staatsoper (the Bavarian State Opera). Constructed only in 1963, it features the third largest stage in Europe after the Opera Bastille in Paris and the Grand Theatre in Warsaw. Its Royal Box features two caryatids and is a magnificent example of a grand European royal box.

 

Photo credits:

Versailles auditorium: Playbill

Versailles Box Wikipedia

Bolshoi auditorium Wikipedia

Bolshoi Dress Circle Reuters

Bolshoi Presidential Box Russianmoscowmama

La Fenice auditorium wikpedia

La Fenice box  Parisbreakfasts

Teatro Madrid auditorium wikipedia

Madrid Teatro Royal royal box wikipedia

Retiring room Drury Lane RUG

Royal Box Drury Lane Peter Dazeley

Prince’s box, Drury Lane Momplayinghookie

Munich all copyright by Showbusinessinsights