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What follows is the most complete list of theatres in Turin available at the moment, for the period between 1900 and 1935, and yet it is only a rough 10% of the total number. In many cases this is simply a list of names, sometimes with an address, but bits and pieces have been added where available.
| Teatro Regio - The Royal Theater and Opera House, opened
in 1740; renamed "Nazionale" first and "Imperiale" later during the French
domination. Housed the premiere of Puccini's "Boheme" (1896), and of Boito's
"Nerone" (1925), both conduced by Arturo Toscanini. Destroied by a fire
of unknown origin (probably a short circuit of the new electrical grid) at
0.45 a.m. of February the ninth 1936 .
After the shows, artists and audiences were used to retreat to the Caffè Mulassano, in Piazza Castello 15 .
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| Teatro Carignano - in piazza Carignano,
the second best overall venue in Turin and the best when prose is concerned
(Teatro Regio being essentially an Opera House). Graced by the
Divine Sarah Bernard (thet here acted her last role in 1922) and
by her later rival and famme fatale Eleonora Duse.
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| Teatro d'Angennes - in Via Principe Amedeo, owned by the Lupi Brothers, famous puppeteers. Also known as the Gianduja Theatre (from the famous Turin folk character, a classical fixture in the Lupis shows). In the years in question, admitance is for free on thursdays for all the kids that received a good conduct or merit medal in school. |
Teatro Rossini - in Via Po. Built between 1771
and 1792. Favoured by Rossini ("Comte Ory" in 1844 and "Il Barbiere di Siviglia"
in 1853) and Wagner, and later Turin mainstay of the musical theatre and
review, founded by Mario Casaleggio (Ordine di San Maurizio e San Lazzaro
for artistic endeavours, Legion of Onour by the French government) and seat
of the Compagnia Casaleggio. Destroied by a fire on 22/12/41.
Rehersals
are in the morning and stop by 2.00 pm.
Teatro Gerbino - one of the most famous venues in the 1800s, graced by some of the artists of the Barnum shows.
Teatro Alfieri - in Piazza Solferino, later specializing in modern pieces and lighter entertainment.
Teatro Scribe
Teatro Balbo
There are about 50 cinemas in Turin in 1925 (considered to be a chrisis year!)
Before the main feature, a short live piece (later to become the "'Avanspettacolo") was usually presented, including musical numbers and comedy acts.
Cinema Ambrosio - owned by producer Ambrosio Film, opened in 1913 and inaugurated the age of luxury cinemas. On an area of more than 1000 square meters, it featured four salons, an entry hall and one each for the three classes, with 150/200 seats each. Music and refreshments were available for the audience waiting to get in and see the movie.
Cinema Teatro Vittoria - opened in 1915, with 1200 seats in the 48 meters lonhg and 16 meters high main room, with other 250 in the gallery, plus the proscenium and the orchestra pit. Demolished during the Via Roma sestructuration in 1930.
| Salone Ghersi - another Via Roma theatre
also opened in 1915, and going for the title of most sumptuous in town. In
baroque style, with red marble fixtures and bas-reliefs decorating the gallery.
Harold Lloyd was present among the audience in 1924 for the premiere of his
latest feature. Destroyed in 1935 to make way for the new Via Roma, as it
projected 15 cms on the sidewalk.
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Teatro Cinema Ideal - on saturday January 25 1930, houses "La Canzone dell'Amore", the first 'talkie' in Italy.
Cinema Itala - part of the Pittaluga film theatres chain
Rex - huge luxury Regime-style venue, architectonically daring and designed specifically for the talkie movie audience, as part of the many new Via Roma improvements. Opened in 1934.
A list of smaller places, tabarins, cafe'-chantant and other varous and more or less respectable caterers fot the town's entertainment is at the moment impossible; the number of such places is probably around the few hundreds around 1925, to decrease steadily during the later Regime years.
Radio is the favoured (and only) home entertainment of the Italians between the wars, and an important tool in the Fascist propaganda - through the years, the Party will often ask manufacturer for cheper radio sets to reach all levels of population.
Be it through a large radio box or through a cheap galena set, the Italians are listening.
1929 - Balocchi e Profumi
1930 - Lucciole; Si fa... ma non si
dice; Il Tango della Gelosia
1931 - Lodovico; Signorinella; Solo per te,
Lucia;
1932 - Rotaie; Bombolo
1933 - Ma cos'è questa Crisi?;
1934 - Bambina Innamorata; Signora fortuna; Portami tante rose; Violino
tzigano; Chitarra romana; Quanto sei bella Roma; Sono tre parole
1935
- Vanno le carovane nel Tigrai; Faccetta nera
1937 - Torna piccina; Non
dimenticar le mie parole
1938 - Fiorin fiorello; Reginella Campagnola
Despite Italians being generally considered a people that has precious little time for books, Turin hosts the annual book fair, and people is reading, at home and on trains and buses.
