Theatre entertainment in Russia
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Hermitage Theatre
This austere neoclassical theatre – once the private theatre of the imperial family – stands on the site of the original Winter Palace of Peter I. At the behest of Catherine the Great, Giacomo Quarenghi designed the theatre to resemble an amphitheatre, with statues of Apollo and the Muses occupying the niches. During the Soviet period, this hall was used more often for lectures and such, but it reopened as a theatre in the 1980s. Appropriate for the setting, performances range from Tchaikovsky to Tchaikovsky. Some of the musical festivals also use this venue for performances.
reviewed
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B
Komissarzhevskaya Theatre
Now buried in Tikhvin Cemetery, Vera Fedorovna Kommisarzhevskaya was a great St Petersburg actress who gained her reputation as leading lady in Vsevolod Meyerhold performances. In the early years of the 20th century, Kommisarzhevskaya founded an acting troupe that performed in the Passage concert hall, staging plays by all of the famous playwrights of the day, including Mikhail Gorky and Anton Chekhov. Revived in the midst of the Siege, the theatre was renamed in honour of the great actress. These days, headed by artistic director Victor Novikov, it is known for its modern treatment of classic plays.
reviewed
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C
Priyut Komedianta Theatre
This delightful theatre’s name means ‘the actor’s shelter’ and it does a pretty good job of fulfilling its role, providing refuge for some of the city’s best up-and-coming directors and producers. It was founded by actor Yury Tomashevsky in the late 1980s, when the city turned over a defunct cinema that the group still uses. Recent successes have included Peter Shereshevsky’s adaptation of Fyodor Dostoevsky’s The Eternal Husband and Georgy Vasiliev’s ambitious staging of Viktor Yerofeyev’s Moscow Stations, a sort of Russian Trainspotting.
reviewed
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D
Yusupov Palace Theatre
Housed inside the outrageously ornate Yusupov Palace, this elaborate yet intimate venue was the home entertainment centre for one of the city’s foremost aristocratic families. While you can visit the theatre when you tour the palace, seeing a performance here is a treat, as you can imagine yourself the personal guest of crazy Prince Felix himself. The shows are a mixed bag – usually a ‘Gala Evening’ that features fragments of various Russian classics.
reviewed
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E
Satirikon Theatre
Boasting one of Moscow’s most talented theatre producers, Konstantin Raikin, as well as a host of big-name directors, the Satirikon earned a reputation in the early 1990s with its outrageously expensive production of the Threepenny Opera. It has since broken its own record for expenditure with Chantecler, which featured ducks, cockerels and hens dancing on stage. From Rizhskaya metro take any trolleybus to the Kinoteatr Gavana stop and follow the crowds.
reviewed
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F
Mussorgsky-Mikhailovsky Theatre
While not quite as grand as the Mariinsky, this stage still delivers the Russian ballet or operatic experience, complete with multitiered theatre, frescoed ceiling and elaborate concerts. The inspiring pl Iskusstv (Arts Sq) is a lovely setting for this respected venue, which is home to the State Academic Opera & Ballet Company. It’s generally easier and cheaper to get tickets to the performances staged here than those at the Mariinsky.
reviewed
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G
Maly Theatre
‘Maly’ means small, meaning smaller than the Bolshoi across the street. Actually, these names date back to the time when there were only two theatres in town: the opera theatre was always called the ‘Bolshoi’ while the drama theatre was the ‘Maly’. This elegant theatre, founded in 1824, mainly features performances of 19th-century works by Ostrovsky and the like, many of which premiered here back in the day.
reviewed
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H
Moscow Art Theatre
Often called the most influential theatre in Europe, this is where method acting was founded over 100 years ago, by Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko. Besides the theatre itself and an acting studio-school, a small museum about the theatre’s history is also on site. Watch for English-language versions of Russian classics performed by Studio Six (www.studiosix.nyc.org), an American offspring of MKhT.
reviewed
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I
Fomenko Studio Theatre
The theatre world is talking about Pyotr Fomenko. Ever since the founding of his theatre in 1988, he has been known for his experimental productions, which used to take place in a run-down old cinema house. In 2008, Fomenko moved his troupe into fancy new digs overlooking the Moscow River – a marble and glass beauty built by architect Sergei Gnedovsky.
reviewed
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J
Taganka Theatre
This legendary theatre is famous for its rebellious director, Yury Lyubimov, and the unruly actor Vladimir Vysotsky. During the 1980s, in response to his provocative plays, Lyubimov was exiled to London and had his citizenship revoked. These days he’s back in Moscow and continues to stage top-notch contemporary productions.
reviewed
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Pushkin Drama Theatre
This 18th-century theatre sits at the heart of romantic Tverskoy bul. The strategy employed by the theatre’s artistic director Roman Kozak is to attract established directors to the large stage, while using the small stage to showcase young, up-and-coming names. The result is a diverse repertoire.
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Baltic House
Known under the Soviets as Lenin Konsomol Theatre, this large venue has long hosted an annual festival of plays from the Baltic countries. Renamed in 1991, Baltic House also stages Russian and European plays, as well as a new and growing repertoire of experimental theatre.
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Lenkom Theatre
The Lenkom isn’t the most glamorous theatre, but it’s widely considered to have the strongest acting troupe in the country. The flashy productions and lots of musicals that are performed here keep non-Russian speakers entertained.
reviewed
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N
Maly Drama Theatre
The theatre with the best international reputation, built up under the directorship of Lev Dodin whose productions of Dostoevsky’s The Devils and Chekhov’s Play Without a Name have been widely acclaimed.
reviewed
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O
Feel Yourself Russian Folkshow
Terrible title, but actually a very entertaining show of traditional Russian folk dancing and music by enthusiastic, professional troupes. Plus you get to enjoy the grand interior of the Nikolayevsky Palace.
reviewed
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P
Tabakov Theatre
Named after its present director, Oleg Tabakov, a famous actor who is also the current director of MKhT. Recent productions of As I lay dying and Uncle Vanya were highly lauded.
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Q
Sakha Theatre
Sakha Theatre is a strikingly modern venue that has theatre and music in the Sakha language; engaging even if you don’t get a word of it.
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Lensovet Theatre
One of the more versatile theatre companies in town, staging classical plays as well as bold new experimental works.
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Dvorets Iskusstv
Cultural centre with mixed offerings of theatre and music including local rock bands. Events often start around 5pm.
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Bolshoy Puppet Theatre
This is the main venue for puppets; there are 16 different shows in the repertoire, including two for adults.
reviewed
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Opera-Ballet Theatre
This architecturally nondescript theatre has up to five early-evening shows per week from October to June.
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Puppet Theatre
Murmansk's puppet theatre was the first in the USSR (founded in 1933) and is still one of the best.
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Prado
Amusing coffee-house restaurant within the Aelita Theatre conceived as an Italian piazza.
reviewed
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Green Theatre
During the summer months the Green Theatre presents drama performances and concerts.
reviewed
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Demmeni Marionette Theatre
The oldest professional puppet theatre in Russia has been in business since 1917.
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