Grande Royeaux Theater

Grande Royeaux Theater
Type	Theater
Location	Val Royeaux, Orlais
Appearances	Dragon Age: The Masked Empire Dragon Age: Inquisition (mentioned)

The Grande Royeaux Theater is a theater located in Val Royeaux. It is an important asset to Orlesian culture and politics.

Background

The sphere of theater, and thus the goings-on in one of the Orlais' most prestigious establishments, is a close reflection of the political climate of the country. Many social scandals have found themselves immortalized as plays.

The Grande Royeaux Theater was established in the Storm Age. Before the rule of Empress Celene, artistic expression in theater was often stunted by the Chantry or the current ruler of Orlais. At one point, any work performed had to be approved by both. During his reign, Mad Emperor Reville restricted the theater to wordless pantomimes for fear plays were being used to foment rebellion, while Emperor Florian nearly shut the theater down for making light of the Orlesian occupation of Ferelden. During Empress Celene's reign, a play based on the popular Orlesian legend of Les Trois Soeurs (The Three Sisters), which criticized Divine Justinia's attempts at reform, was banned after only three performances.

Though theatrical works reflect central themes of Orlesian culture, such as disdain towards Fereldans or reverence for Kordilius Drakon, a few striking contrasts can also be found. In a country where The Grand Game can be a matter of life and death, a character's gender and importance to the play is clearly defined by the appearance of their mask, an article which once donned, is understood to be absolutely them. As such, elves have done well in the theaters of Orlais, and are not only allowed to hold main parts and play humans but can also socially progress upon becoming famous.

Involvement

---

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: The Masked Empire.

---

Celene attends a performance at the Grande Royeaux Theater along with her champion. The play, commissioned by Gaspard and his cronies, is a satire depicting Celene as an Andraste who forgets her purpose through her passion for an elf, Shartan, and whose mistakes can only be rectified by Maferath, with Shartan and Maferath thinly veiled references to Briala and Gaspard, respectively. In her booth Celene speaks with Remache, who explains that he arranged for the changes to the script that would publicly humiliate Celene using threats and coercion and that no evidence of his involvement will be found.

Codex entries

Codex entry: A Compendium of Orlesian Theater

Codex entry: The Daughters of Song

Codex entry: Legend of the Three Sisters: Book 3

Trivia

• Wintersend, celebrated at the beginning of Pluitanis, is a holiday that has become a day for trade, theater, and, in some areas, the arrangement of marriages.

See also

Games and recreation