At the end of the 19th century, Chiaverano saw the construction of its first Civic Theatre, finally providing a dedicated space for traditional Piedmontese performances, which until then had taken place outdoors or under simple wooden shelters, with a curtain made of fabric or canvas.

Designed by architect Bonaventura Bertagnolio, the town had an actual theater space.

On December 23, 1897, the Filodrammatica Society was officially founded to combine charity and culture, promoting education and learning through entertainment.

One of the key figures in the theatre’s early history was Luigi Ravèra Chiòn. .He helped finance the building and later became a member, administrator, and eventually president—a role he held until the mid-20th century.

The theatre was initially rectangular, with a rear balcony, a stage, and wooden benches—all built on rented land. The first performances included several sacred plays. . .

As early as 1899, the theatre season also began to feature secular dramas, such as The Miller’s Wife of Ivrea. Posters were put up in nearby towns to advertise the shows. Ticket prices ranged from 50 cents for chairs to 40 cents for benches in the gallery and 30 cents for stall seats. Season subscriptions were also available, guaranteeing audiences at least 25 performances per season, with extra shows included free of charge for subscribers...

Meanwhile, the theatre continued its charitable mission, organizing benefit performances for the local evening school, concerts by blind musicians, and two-seat reservations every two weeks for the best students in town.

In 1907, the theatre began experimenting with cinema, purchasing a magic lantern. Unfortunately, the experiment failed, and the projector was sold in 1910.

As the theatre’s income depended entirely on ticket sales, the Filodrammatica faced financial difficulties and was forced to close in 1912.

The following year, plans were made to purchase a cinematograph, but the outbreak of World War I brought all activity to a halt. In 1928, the theatre was officially named after Bonaventura Bertagnolio. The theatre was restored, repainted, and enriched between the 1930s and 1950s, thanks to the efforts of Enea Riccardino, a key figure in Chiaverano’s cultural life. During these years, it became home to a youth theatre company led by professional directors capable of staging full dramatic seasons.
In the 1970s, the theatre was closed for safety reasons but was later restored and returned to its former glory.

In 2003, in response to the municipality’s request for a cultural program, Morènica – theatre, music, and dance in Chiaverano was created. Since 2022, the theatre has been managed by a group of local associations that continue to carry forward this important cultural tradition.

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