Queens on Stage: 31 Cinema and Theatre Costumes at the Reggia di Venaria

Queens on Stage at the Reggia di Venaria

Dates: from 17 April to 6 September 2026. "Queens on Stage. The Art of Italian Costume in Cinema and Theatre" displays 31 designer costumes in the Sale delle Arti of the Reggia di Venaria.

Curated by Massimo Cantini Parrini with Clara Goria, the exhibition investigates how costume shapes the visual language of female authority across cinema and theatre. The layout favors a thematic reading: sovereignty is presented as the result of materials, shapes and ornamentation rather than solely historical reconstruction.

Highlights

The selection contrasts pieces from film, theatre and opera to reveal continuities and changes in the visual codes of royal representation.

• Iconic garments: costumes associated with figures such as Medea, Elizabeth I and Marie Antoinette, interpreted by prominent costume designers.
• Contemporary dialogues: modern productions that include works filmed at the Venaria complex, creating a direct link with the site.
• Costume craft: displays and archival materials that document historic workshops and collections active in Italian costume-making.

Why visit

The exhibition advances a critical thesis on how costume renders authority believable before speech or action. It also foregrounds the industrial and artisanal networks—tailors, archives and museums—that sustain costume production.

Visitor information

• Opening hours: Tuesday-Friday 9:30–17:00; Saturday, Sunday and holidays 9:30–18:30; closed Monday (except public holidays).
• Tickets for the exhibition: €12 full, €10 reduced; youth reduced €6 (under 21 and university students under 26); schools €3 per student; children under 6 free.
• All-in-one Reggia pass: €25 full, €20 reduced, €10 youth reduced, €55 family formula.
• Location: Piazza della Repubblica 4, Venaria Reale (Turin).

Accessibility and services

The display integrates accessibility features such as tactile-visual panels, audio descriptions, subtitles, LIS translations and high-readability texts. These tools are built into the visitor route to make the visual language of costume accessible to diverse audiences.

Practical tip: check the Reggia's official channels or contact the ticket office for guided tours, group bookings and the schedule of related film programs and events.