The Court Theatre: Currently Closed for Restoration
The Court Theatre is currently undergoing restoration. The historic interiors of the Hofteatret will be carefully restored, outdated installations and facilities will be updated, and a new arrival area will be created in the old audience staircase. The museum’s exhibitions and communication activities will also be significantly enhanced. Stay updated on the museum’s website for more information.
Christian VII’s Court Theatre
In January 1767, the Court Theatre for Christian VII was inaugurated at Christiansborg Palace, the king’s residence in the 18th century. Similar to other European court theaters, the Copenhagen theater was a neoclassical space adorned in pearl grey and gold, with a balcony supported by 22 columns. The floor featured boxes for spectators, and during masquerades, the auditorium floor could be raised to the same level as the stage.
Masquerades at the Hofteatret
Alongside the Royal Theatre, the Court Theatre was the hub of royal entertainment during the 18th century. Performances of singing, acting, and masquerades were held here. When visiting the Court Theatre, which now houses the Theatre Museum, you can experience Christian VII’s royal box, where the king, Queen Caroline Mathilde, and the king’s personal physician, Struensee, once watched the performances.
The Theatre Museum
After its time as a royal venue, the Court Theatre became a quieter annex for the Royal Theatre, housing the ballet school among other functions. The Theatre Museum was founded in 1912 by a group of theater enthusiasts and moved into the historic Hofteatret in 1922, where it has been open to the public ever since. The collection has expanded greatly over the years, and the museum continues to document the history of professional theater in Denmark. Its archives and library contain extensive collections, available to students and researchers.
Struensee and Caroline Mathilde
In 1772, the Court Theatre became the stage for one of Denmark’s most dramatic scandals. Struensee, the de facto ruler of Denmark from 1770 to 1772 and lover of Queen Caroline Mathilde, spent his final night of freedom at the Court Theatre. He attended one of the infamous masked balls of the time, where he and Caroline Mathilde shared their last dance together. On the morning of January 17, 1772, both were arrested. Struensee was later executed for treason.
