Nicholai Sheremetev had the Ostankino theatre designed and
constructed so that a movable theatre parterre could be raised
to the level of the stage to rapidly transform the theatre
into a ballroom (called a "vauxhall" at that time).
1
A more esteemed class seated at le paradis
(the balcony), looked down upon those in the parterre.
2
1
Cherviakov, Aleksandr; "The Ostankino Palace-Museum: A guide
(Guidebook)", Raduga, Winnipeg Manitoba, 1985, p. 92.
.
2
Smith, Douglas; "The Pearl: A True Tale of Forbidden Love in
Catherine the Great's Russia", Yale Univ. Press, 2008,
pp. 114, 133
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