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SUMMARY Christiansborg Castle burned down twice, but the wing in which the Court Theatre is situated, botli times escaped the flames. It was built in 1742, and, in 1766, 0 11 the model of Versailles, the Theatre was arranged by the French architect, N. H. Jardin. Christian VII. (1749—1808), King of Dcnmark and Norway, called in a French troupe on whom he conferred the title of »His Majesty’s ordinary actors, for the ornament and lionour of the Court«. Liberal­ ly supported by the king, the troupe gave performances till April 1773, and its most diversified repertoire was publishcd in 14 volumes under the title of »Théåtre Royal de Dannemarc«. The actors belonged to the personal circle of the king, and Monsieur la Tour, »jeune premier« of the troupe, prompted the king, when, in 1768, he performed, on the Court Theatre, the character of sultan Orosman in Voltaire’s tragedy of »Zaire«, together witli some favourites as fellow-players. At the same time the Court Theatre was used for »Bals masqués parés en domino«, and at sucli a festival Caroline Mathilde (a sistcr of King George III.), the king’s English-born consort, danced, for the last time, with her lover, the Minister of State, Count Struensee, during the night of the 16th January 1772, preceding his imprisonment and sUbsequent execution and her banisli- ment. A silk tapestried room still extant is said, according to tradition, to have been her dressing room. The king also

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