The Regina Margherita Theatre

The theatre forecourt offers a wonderful view of Piedicavallo and the mountains that crown the borders of the Cervo Valley.

The Regina Margherita Theatre was built in the late-19th century, with a well-stocked library, thanks to the work of Don Perino, Piedicavallo’s parish priest. Urged on by the townspeople, he set up the Amateur Dramatic Group and began a close correspondence with the Royal House. The theatre thus obtained permission to be named after the sovereign of the Kingdom of Italy: Queen Margaret of Savoy (1851-1926).

Queen Margaret of Savoy was very popular in the valley. Every year she would arrive in Piedicavallo, from where she continued on foot, crossing the Colle della Vecchia to reach Gressoney, in Valle D’Aosta where she spent a holiday period.

Since at that time, everyone already went to school, even the girls, everyone could read, and the library offered books by the most famous authors. The first theatre companies were formed by locals and even today, what were the children and grandchildren of the time remember the “parts” played by their mothers, grandmothers and fathers. There were also wandering troupes that formed links between the mountains and the more comfortable and practicable plains.

The Regina Margherita Theatre not only drew spectators from the valley itself, but also from Biella. After the war, many people left the mountain area and the theatre was abandoned. The original backdrop, painted by Giuseppe Maffei, is now kept at the Museo del Territorio Biellese (Biella Territorial Museum).

Since 1990, the municipal administration has put the restoration of the theatre on its agenda. It was recovered and restored in the early 2000s, ready to welcome new admiring spectators. The Regina Margherita Theatre got off to a fresh start on 8 October 2006, the date of its new inauguration. Altogether, it can seat 94 people, 70 in the stalls and 24 in the gallery. The latter is also accessible to disabled persons.

The building currently hosts a varied theatre-season programme: its stage has been trodden by internationally renowned artists, thanks to the famous Piedicavallo Festival. Theatre performances, concerts, exhibitions, film screenings such as those of the Rassegna del Cinema di Montagna (Mountain Film Festival), shows organised by the historic parish choir, and cultural events make this theatre a gem well worthy of its name.

You are now invited to stroll along the main street to discover some of the town’s most charming spots!