The most spectacular performances. "Porgy and Bess", Through the Looking Glass

Moscow's posters are full of various offers: classics and comedy, drama and melodrama, parody and tragedy. What are the best performances in Moscow to choose: high-profile enterprises or scandalous productions by fashionable directors? What productions involve the acting that you really want to see?

We bring to your attention an overview of modern performances, which are oriented not only by spectators, but also by directors, actors and critics. We will help you make sense of this abundance and present a rating of the best performances in Moscow - a reflection of modern life in the classical repertoire. After all, if the theater limits itself exclusively to the classics in its unchanged form, then it risks becoming “academically dead” (V.I. Nemirovich-Danchenko).

“Triptych” (Petr Fomenko Workshop)

The best are staged here. P. Fomenko once opened the Small Hall of the theater with a large-scale production of “Triptych.” The literary basis of the production is Pushkin’s works “Count Nulin”, “The Stone Guest”, scenes from “Faust”. Three parts, two intermissions.

The first part is light, airy, in the spirit of the director: swings, poetry, “a sentimental anecdote in poetic form.” In the second part, P. Fomenko takes the audience to the stone Spanish city. Tombstones, bars, monastery, prayer. All this is confusing because it is not obvious. The third part is the denouement, where the viewer plunges into a completely realistic sea and then, together with the stage and actors, is covered with a silk wave.

All these metaphors, illusions, associations excite and impress: “In this plank booth you can, as in the universe, go through all the tiers in a row, descend from heaven through earth to hell.” This is what P. Fomenko offers his viewers.

The talented acting of Kirill Pirogov, Galina Tyunina, Karen Badalov is a real “paradise” for theater “gourmets”.

“Eugene Onegin” (Vakhtangov Theater, director - Rimas Tuminasov)

This performance is worth watching in order to see how the director breaks the stereotypes of poetic flair, lyricism and rhythm in the construction of phrases. The performance is original, it opens up new facets in the characters and plot. It is called performance-impression-reflection.

The entire production takes place in a foggy haze. This makes it more like a fantasy, which illuminates Russian vices and makes virtue obvious. Russian life is presented visible and tangible, its bad sides are shown with humor and sophistication.

But the main thing is the galaxy of actors who make the performance impeccable: S. Makovetsky, V. Dobronravov, M. Sevrinovsky, V. Vdovichenkov, Y. Borisova, I. Kupchenko, M. Volkova, N. Vinokurova, L. Maksakova.

"The Seagull" (Theater "Satyricon")

The great eccentric Yu. Butusov plays out the actor's destinies in the play. The heroes of this play are clowns, cheerful, cheerful imbeciles, brooding lunatics and aging, playful beauties. What happens on stage is inventive and spontaneous. Madame Arkadina, with eyeliner, looks like a witch, Treplev in the finale will try to drown his mother in a rusty bathtub, and Butusov will dance a dance unknown to anyone.

Here you will see the bright stars of “Satyricon” - Polina Raikina, Timofey Tribuntsev, Lika Nifontova. And by the way: “The Seagull” received the “Golden Mask” for directing, for which the best performances in Moscow were nominated.

"Anarchy" (Sovremennik Theater)

The untouchable “hooligan” Garik Sukachev is the director of the play, and Mikhail Efremov in the role of Billy “Miscarriage” is the director of this nonconformist performance, based on the play by the British Mike Packer. The effect that the performance produced has been compared to a “bomb exploding” - it is so unusual, entertaining and unlike Sovremennik. Look at the swearing on stage, drunken squabbles and anti-government demagoguery!

The story of elderly punks banding together in hopes of making money is effective and compelling. In the company of M. Efremov you will see D. Pevtsov, V. Mishchenko, M. Selyanskaya, O. Drozdova

“No. 13D” (Moscow Art Theater, production by V. Mashkov)

Every theatergoer in the capital, when asked: “What are the best comedy performances in Moscow?”, invariably answered: “Number thirteen.” The production ran for ten years and was always sold out. But in 2012 it was removed from the theater’s repertoire.

The performance was revived again.

In a new cast and a new fashionable format - this is how the funny performance based on the play of a crazy story has returned. Instead of Avangard Leontyev, the role of a politician who longs to “indulge in passion” with his secretary is played by Igor Vernik. The role of the “corpse” is played by the unchanged Leonid Timtsunik. The devoted secretary is a “unlucky virgin”, played by Yevgeny Mironov in the previous production, and now he is still madly afraid of his mother and her nurse. Charming Paulina Andreeva (secretary) and touching Irina Pegova (nun) rush around the stage in lace lingerie.

In room thirteen everything sparks, falls and explodes. The performance is replete with special effects and even full-screen video. Overall, there are enough attractions. Apparently, Mashkov invites the viewer to escape from the absurdity in life and observe the absurdity on stage.

The video-comic ending adds pluses to the remake’s treasury: “Chekhov’s” seagull flies into Kamergersky Lane, managing to hit the Kremlin double-headed eagle and Big Ben along the way. In general, comedy acts on the audience like vitamins: it perfectly lifts the tone and improves the mood.

Theater for kids

What are the best performances where you can go with little spectators? After all, for them theater is emotions, surprise and inspiration. K. Stanislavsky also said: “You need to play for children as for adults, but only better.”

So, the best children's performances in Moscow are the TOP five productions that are a must-see:

"Peter Pan" (Vakhtangov Theater) - director Alexander Koruchenkov involved young actors - students of "Pike" - in the play based on the play by James Barry.
“Pippi Longstocking” (The Cherry Orchard Theatre) is a bright, burlesque production about the famous red-haired mischief-maker. A story told for kids who continue to believe in miracles.
“The Wizard of Oz” (Meyerhold TCC) - theater director Lev Erenburg will present a magical performance based on the work of L.F. Baum.

“Alice through the Looking Glass” (P.N. Fomenko Workshop theater) is a classic fantasy for children and adults. This is the first debut of director I. Popovski, who turned the performance into a fabulous performance. After all, Fomenko’s workshop hosts the best performances in Moscow not only for adults, but also for children.
“Cat's House” (Moscow - staged by G. Yanovskaya based on the work of S. Marshak. The performance is notable for the fact that the scenery is made in the form of large cubes, which turn to the audience in different directions and, like puzzles, make up pictures. And children will watch the production on pillows located in the foyer.

Show all Electrotheater "Stanislavsky" "Another Theater" Academic Maly Drama Theater - Theater of Europe Academic Drama Theater named after V.F. Komissarzhevskaya Alexandrinsky Theater Almetyevsk Tatar State Drama Theater Bashkir Order of the Red Banner of Labor Academic Drama Theater named after. Mazhit Gafuri Bereznikovsky Drama Theater Bolshoi Puppet Theater Vladimir Academic Regional Drama Theater Vologda State Drama Theater Voronezh State Academic Drama Theater named after A. Koltsov Voronezh Chamber Theater GITIS-Theater Gogol Center State Buryat Academic Drama Theater named after. Khotsa Namsaraeva State Theater of Nations State Academic Bolshoi Theater of Russia (Historical Stage) State Academic Maly Theater of Russia. Main stage State Academic Central Puppet Theater named after S.V. Obraztsova State Academic Russian Drama Theater named after. M. Gorky, Astana, Kazakhstan State Academic Theater named after. Mossovet State Academic Theater named after. Mossovet State Academic Theater of Classical Ballet under the direction of N. Kasatkina and V. Vasilev State Museum of Fine Arts named after A. S. Pushkin State National Theater of the Republic of Karelia Drama Theater "Wheel" named after Gleb Drozdov Drama Theater "On Liteiny" Drama Theater named after M. S. Shchepkina Ekaterinburg Opera and Ballet Theater Zlatoust State Drama Theater "Omnibus" Kazan State Theater for Young Spectators Kaluga Regional Drama Theater Kamensk-Ural Drama Theater Chamber Musical Theater named after B.A. Pokrovsky Kansky Drama Theater Kemerovo Regional Drama Theater named after A.V. Lunacharsky Kirov State Theater for Young Spectators "Theater on Spasskaya" Kirov Regional Order of the Red Banner of Labor Drama Theater named after S.M. Kirov Kolyada-Theater Kostroma State Drama Theater named after. A. N. Ostrovsky Krasnodar Municipal Youth Theater Krasnoyarsk Drama Theater named after. A.S. Pushkin Kursk State Drama Theater named after A. S. Pushkin Lesosibirsk City Drama Theater "Poisk" Lipetsk State Academic Drama Theater named after L. N. Tolstoy Mariinsky Theater (Main Stage) Minusinsk Drama Theater Mikhailovsky Theater Michurinsky Drama Theater Moscow State Conservatory. P.I. Tchaikovsky Moscow Art Theater named after A.P. Chekhov Moscow Academic Musical Theater named after People's Artists K.S. Stanislavsky and Vl. I. Nemirovich-Danchenko Moscow Academic Theater named after Vladimir Mayakovsky Moscow Academic Theater of Satire Moscow State Academic Children's Musical Theater named after N. I. Sats Moscow State Theater "Lenkom" Moscow Drama Theater "Modern" Moscow Drama Theater "Modern" Moscow Drama Theater "Sphere" » Moscow Drama Theater "Man" Moscow Drama Theater named after A. S. Pushkin Moscow Drama Theater under the direction of Armen Dzhigarkhanyan Moscow International House of Music Moscow Musical Drama Gypsy Theater "Romen" Moscow Musical Theater "Helikon-Opera" Moscow Regional Theater of Drama and Comedy Moscow Theater "Helikon-Opera" Moscow Theater "Empire of Stars" Moscow Theater "Near the Stanislavsky House" Moscow Theater "Sovremennik" Moscow Theater "Shadow" Moscow Theater "At the Nikitsky Gate" Moscow Theater "Hermitage" Moscow Theater of Miniatures under the direction of Mikhail Zhvanetsky Moscow Taganka Theater Moscow Theater in the South-West Moscow Theater for Young Spectators Moscow Theater-Studio under the direction of O. Tabakov Moscow Theater Center "Cherry Orchard" under the direction of Alexander Vilkin Moscow Art Academic Theater named after M. Gorky Museum of the first President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin NOVAT opera, ballet – Novosibirsk State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater National Music and Drama Theater of the Republic of Tyva named after. V. Kok-oola Nizhny Novgorod State Academic Drama Theater named after. M. Gorky Nizhny Novgorod Theater "Zoo" Nizhny Novgorod Theater for Young Spectators Novosibirsk Academic Youth Theater "Globus" Novosibirsk City Drama Theater under the direction of Sergei Afanasyev Omsk State Academic Drama Theater Omsk State Theater of Puppets, Actors, Masks "Harlequin" Penza Regional Drama Theater named after. A. V. Lunacharsky Perm Academic Theater-Theater Perm Theater “At the Bridge” Primorsky Academic Regional Drama Theater named after M. Gorky Prokopyevsk Drama Theater named after Lenin Komsomol Russian Academic Youth Theater Russian State Academic Bolshoi Drama Theater named after G. A. Tovstonogov Russian State Academic youth theater Russian State Academic Drama Theater named after Fyodor Volkov Russian State Theater "Satyricon" named after Arkady Raikin Russian Republican Drama Theater named after M. Y. Lermontov Russian Drama and Comedy Theater of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic Ryazan State Regional Puppet Theater Ryazan Theater for Young Spectators Samara Academic Drama Theater named after. M. Gorky Samara Theater for Young Spectators "SamArt" St. Petersburg "Author's Theater" St. Petersburg Youth Theater on the Fontanka St. Petersburg State Academic Theater named after Lensoveta St. Petersburg State Puppet Theater of Fairy Tales Saratov Academic Theater for Young Spectators named after. Yu.P. Kiselev Saratov State Academic Drama Theater named after. I. A. Slonova Sverdlovsk State Academic Theater of Musical Comedy Tatar Academic State Opera and Ballet Theater named after. M. Jalil Tatar State Academic Theater named after. Galiaskar Kamala Tver Regional Academic Drama Theater Tver Theater for Young Spectators Theater Et Cetera p/r A. Kalyagin Theater "Actor's House" Samara Union of Theater Workers Theater "Wandering Den" Theater "Yeltsin Center" Theater "Kremlin Ballet" Theater "MOST" Theater "Workshop of P. N. Fomenko" (new stage) Theater "Workshop of P. N. Fomenko" (old stage) Theater "Moscow Operetta" Theater "New Opera" named after. E. V. Kolobova Theater "Osobnyak" St. Petersburg Theater "Sovremennik" Theater "Sovremennik" on Chistoprudny Boulevard Theater "Teatr.doc" Theater "Center for Drama and Directing" on Begovaya Theater "School of Modern Play" Theater Anton Chekhov Theater Mayakovsky. Main and Small stages of the Mayakovsky Theater. Stage on Sretenka Theater of the Russian Army Theater for children and youth "Free Space" Theater named after Yevgeny Vakhtangov Theater named after Yermolova Theater named after Mossovet Theater on Malaya Bronnaya Theater-festival "Baltic House" Theater-festival "Baltic House" Tula Academic Theater Ulyanovsk Drama Theater I.A. Goncharova Khabarovsk Regional Musical Theater Khabarovsk Theater for Young Spectators Center named after. Sun. Meyerhold Center for Contemporary Drama ("Kolyada-Center") Center for Contemporary Drama and Directing Central Academic Theater of the Russian Army Central House of Actors named after. A. A. Yablochkina Chelyabinsk Theater for Young Spectators School of Dramatic Art Stanislavsky Electrotheater Yaroslavl Chamber Theater

It is very difficult to calculate the exact number of theaters in Moscow. After all, theaters constantly appear, disappear, merge and move. It is known that their number is rapidly approaching 400. For an inexperienced viewer, such diversity can become a problem. After all, choosing among a huge variety of theaters and their productions is not an easy task. What were the best performances in Moscow: audience rating 2019, brief review and critics' ratings - all this will be discussed in the article. First, let's try to answer the question: why do people go to the theater?

For some, a performance is entertainment, for others they like the performance of their favorite actors, for some spectators a theatrical production is an occasion to reflect on the meaning of life. There are many reasons to go to the theater and here are the 5 main ones:

Rest. After a working day with its problems, a performance is an emotional release, a distraction from business, study, and work.
Live acting. Feeling the emotions of movie screen characters is much more difficult than during a live performance of actors.
Availability. Previously, theater was a privilege of secular society. Tickets were not affordable for everyone. Today, every person has the opportunity to attend a performance.
Introduction to literary works. The modern theater offers a varied selection of productions, ranging from ancient literature to works by modern authors. Moreover, they are served both in a classic form and in a non-standard form.
Interesting leisure time. Theater is cultural development, new discoveries, acquaintances, communication, a whole kaleidoscope of emotions during the performance.

The best theaters in Moscow and ratings of their performances

The cultural life of the capital is incredibly eventful. The posters are full of messages about new premieres and legendary, classic productions. The 2019 theater season is now in full swing. In order not to get lost in this abundance and choose the right performance, we offer a rating of the best theaters and performances.

Grand Theatre

The Bolshoi Theater rightfully takes first place in the ranking of the best theaters in Moscow. Its history began in 1776. It was this year that Catherine II initiated the construction of the world-famous Bolshoi Theater. The majestic building was created in the classicism style. The historical stage was reconstructed in 2005–2011, and the New Stage was opened in November 2002.

Top 3 best performances of the Bolshoi Theater in 2019:

"La Bayadère" Ballet in 3 acts. The plot is based on a melodramatic love story between two oathbreakers. An emotional production centered around the classic conflict of love and duty.
"The Story of Kai and Gerda." Opera in two acts. Production based on the well-known fairy tale by Andersen “The Snow Queen”. The atmosphere of magic and amazing musical performances will appeal to viewers of any age. Ideal for family viewing.
"Swan Lake". More than a century has passed since the premiere of Tchaikovsky's ballet, and the production remains the most popular all over the world. The story about the death of two loving hearts - Odette and Siegfried - will not leave anyone indifferent.

You can immerse yourself in the fascinating atmosphere of these and other productions by purchasing or purchasing tickets at the Bolshoi Theater box office or ordering online.

Lenkom Theater

The history of the theater began in 1927. It was created on the initiative of the Moscow Komsomol and was originally called the Theater of Working Youth. The literary part was in charge of Mikhail Bulgakov, Isaac Dunaevsky was responsible for the musical part, and Nikolai Batalov directed the cast.

Top 3 best performances of the Lenkom Theater in 2019:

"Juno and Avos". A modern opera in two parts based on real events. Tells about the tragic love story of the Russian diplomat, Count Nikolai Ryazanov and the daughter of the Spanish commandant Conchita Arguello. A rock opera has everything: wonderful music, wonderful acting, impeccable direction and beautiful scenery.
"Crazy Day or The Marriage of Figaro." An enchanting comedy in 2 parts about one crazy, noisy and stormy day of the main character - Figaro. Whoever comes to the performance will find out whether the treacherous Count Almaviva will be able to upset the wedding of Figaro and the beautiful Susanna.
"Aquitaine Lioness" The struggle for the throne, intrigues and conspiracies, malicious wars for power, deception and deceit - all this will be seen by the viewer in the fascinating and popular performance of Lenkom.

Lenkom is a whole theatrical era with its own history and heroes. Actors of different generations, students of Mark Zakharov, work and create there. Tickets to Lenkom are selling out very quickly. Those who want to visit this legendary theater need to take care of tickets for their favorite performance in advance.

The founder of the theater is E. Vakhtangov. He became the leader of a group of young Moscow students who enthusiastically studied Stanislavsky's system. Together they decided to organize a student drama studio. So in 1914 one of the most famous theaters in the capital appeared.

Top 3 best performances of the Vakhtangov Theater in 2019:

"Mademoiselle Nitouche." Comedy in 3 acts. A light, ironic, entertaining story with an intricate plot and brilliant acting. The performance is a classic example of the Vakhtangov school, where witty jokes, playful dance, cheerful music and beautiful vocals are combined with grace and elegant presentation.
"Eugene Onegin". The special authorial and original style of director Rimas Tuminas makes us take a fresh look at the novel in verse by A.S., known from school. Pushkin.
"False note." The premiere of the play took place not so long ago - in September 2018, but it has already managed to enter the ranking of the best and most visited. Only 2 actors are involved in the production - A. Guskov and G. Khazanov. Do they embody the roles of celebrity and admirer or victim and executioner? It's up to the viewer to decide.

The repertoire of the Vakhtangov Theater includes bright and emotionally rich performances. Moreover, each of them has a deep meaning. Anyone can try to solve it - you just need to buy a ticket to one of the theater’s wonderful performances.

Moscow Art Theater named after. A.P. Chekhov

Chekhov's Moscow Art Theater began its activities in 1898. They founded the theater V.I. Nemirovich-Danchenko and K.S. Stanislavsky. For a long time, the artistic director of the theater was O. Tabakov. During this period, in addition to classical productions, the repertoire was replenished with modern performances staged by young directors. Today at Chekhov's Moscow Art Theater the classics coexist perfectly with modern theatrical art.

Top 3 best performances of the Chekhov Moscow Art Theater in 2019:

Chekhov's Moscow Art Theater has earned many awards and is one of the oldest and most famous theaters in Moscow. But despite this, ticket prices remain quite affordable.

Theater named after Vladimir Mayakovsky

The Moscow Academic Theater named after Vladimir Mayakovsky appeared in 1922. At first, the theater's repertoire included satiristic sketches, poems, ditties, and skits on sensitive political topics.

Top 3 best performances of the Vladimir Mayakovsky Theater in 2019:

"Oblomov." A new look at the classic work of Ivan Goncharov. Does Oblomov need saving? It was this question that became central to the production of director Mindaugas Karbauskis.
"Pygmalion". Performance in 2 parts based on the play by B. Shaw. How to turn a simpleton into a sophisticated society lady and is it possible to overcome social inequality? The play by the famous director Leonid Kheifetz invites you to think about these questions.
"Marriage". A sparkling comedy in 2 acts. Based on the play of the same name by N. Gogol. The indecision and uncertainty of the Russian person sometimes destroys even his best undertakings - the main plot of this work. Despite such a complex topic, the performance is light and exciting.

The Mayakovsky Theater's repertoire includes performances for different audiences: classics, comedies, dramas, tragicomedies, and modern productions. And for the little ones there is always a fairy tale in stock.

Musical Theater named after Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko

The history of the theater began in 1918. At first it was the Bolshoi Theater Opera Studio, headed by K. Stanislavsky. In 1941, the theater was finally formed, merging with the Music Studio of the Moscow Art Theater V. Nemirovich-Danchenko.

Top 3 best performances of the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Musical Theater in 2019:

"Nutcracker". A magical work based on the fairy tale by T.A. Hoffmann with the magnificent music of P.I. Tchaikovsky. This wonderful Christmas story will appeal to both children and adults.
"Snow Maiden". Ballet in 3 acts about the daughter of Spring and Frost - the Snow Maiden. A truly New Year's performance with Father Frost, Snow Maiden, buffoons and other fairy-tale characters.
"Macbeth". A bloody Shakespearean plot, seething human passions, a meeting with fantastic otherworldly forces - all this became the basis for the plot of Verdi's famous opera.

The repertoire of the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Musical Theater includes classical works and performances staged based on the works of modern writers.

Moscow Drama Theater named after Pushkin

Moscow Drama Theater named after A.S. Pushkin began its history with the A.Ya. Chamber Theater. Tairova. One of the most famous theaters in the capital first opened its doors to spectators on December 12, 1914.

Top 3 best performances of the Pushkin Moscow Drama Theater in 2019:

"Hedda Gabler." Performance based on the play of the same name by Henrik Ibsen. A story about a heroine without a hero is how this work is often characterized. Finally find happiness or remain faithful to your ideals - this is the choice the general’s daughter Hedda Gabler has to make.
"It's a Wonderful Life" A classic sitcom about an acting couple who dreams of returning to the big stage and to the movies. Ambitious spouses are ready to do anything to achieve their goal.
"Plum". The story, based on Ostrovsky’s work, will tell the viewer about the conflict of principles and circumstances.

The Moscow Pushkin Drama Theater always has something to please the viewer. Musical performances, psychological dramas and colorful fairy tales are only part of the theater's rich repertoire.

The Russian Academic Youth Theater has been operating since 1921. Initially, it was a children's theater that was the first to stage performances for young spectators.

Top 3 best performances of the Russian Academic Youth Theater in 2019:

"Flowers for Algernon." A vital, humane production that will touch the strings of everyone’s soul. Based on the science fiction novel by American writer Daniel Keyes.
"Deniska's stories." A good story about childhood and how friendship, honesty and selflessness are the main values in life.
"Rabbit Edward" The travels of the porcelain rabbit are not at all cloudless. He goes through the darkness and darkness of selfishness to open his heart to a life that is so complex, but at the same time beautiful.

The theater is unique in that everyone here will find a performance for themselves - from children or teenagers to the most adult spectators.

Sovremennik Theater

In 1956, graduates of the Moscow Art Theater School decided to create a new theater. The founders of Sovremennik were: Evgeny Evstigneev, Oleg Efremov, Viktor Sergachev, Oleg Tabakov, Igor Kvasha, Galina Volchek, Liliya Tolmacheva.

Top 3 best performances of the Sovremennik Theater in 2019:

"Amsterdam". No matter how difficult the life situation may be, the main thing is to always remain human. It is this simultaneously simple and complex truth that the play “Amsterdam” by director Sergei Gazarov tells.
"With coming!". A New Year's play in 2 parts, which will be a real gift for theater lovers. The production is structured in such a way that the viewer will feel a whole palette of emotions: from joy and smile to slight sadness and empathy.
"Pygmalion". G. Volchek’s interpretation of the famous story of B. Shaw turned out to be bright and eccentric. A cozy, friendly atmosphere surrounds the viewer from the first minutes of the performance and accompanies throughout the entire production.

The productions of the Sovremennik Theater are in constant demand. A varied repertoire, excellent acting, interesting productions and non-standard directorial interpretations - this is the formula for the success of the famous Moscow theater.

Moscow Provincial Theater of Sergei Bezrukov

The Provincial Theater of Sergei Bezrukov is one of the youngest theaters in Moscow. It was created recently - in 2013 as a result of the merger of the Ostrovsky Drama Theater and the State Chamber Theater. Some of the performances in the repertoire are accompanied by audio recording, which allows people with vision problems to fully perceive the action on stage. Artistic Director of the Provincial Theater - S.V. Bezrukov.

Top 3 best performances of the Moscow Provincial Theater by Sergei Bezrukov in 2019:

"Mowgli." Musical and plastic performance directed by Anton Kramar based on the work of R. Kipling “The Jungle Book”. Before the performance, a fascinating interlude is played for children. So you need to come to the performance in advance.
"Pushkin". Romantic drama in 2 acts. It tells the story of Pushkin's life, from 1825 until his tragic death. In the production, the poet appears before the viewer not as a picture from a book on literature or a bronze monument in the park, but as a living person, with his own emotions and experiences.
"Christmas. Mystery. Ball". Celebrating the New Year with a smile is a great idea. Especially if a good mood is created by wonderful actors, wonderful music and a funny plot.

The playbill of Sergei Bezrukov's Provincial Theater contains many interesting performances for every taste.

30 top hits of the Moscow stage according to critics and spectators: a brief overview of the performances

"Mad money." Theater named after Vl. Mayakovsky. The comedy shows the viewer how ridiculous, funny and impartial the obsession with money and the desire for financial well-being at any cost can be. The performance was staged according to the dramaturgy of A. Ostrovsky.
"La Traviata". Bolshoi Theatre, Opera. The most popular opera of the world repertoire. The melodramatic plot is dedicated to love and intrigue. Powerful scenery, beautiful vocals, luxurious costumes and scenery - all this came together in the famous opera by G. Verdi.
"Wolves and Sheep" Workshop of Pyotr Fomenko. The plot revolves around bills of exchange scams. It’s not at all difficult to figure out which of the characters in this situation are wolves and which are sheep. Chekhov's impressionism, humor and the cozy world of the Russian estate create a special atmosphere in the play.
"Drums in the Night" Theater named after A.S. Pushkin. The production is about the difficult path a person goes through when he rebels against social injustice. This emotional cabaret performance will tell you how difficult it is sometimes to make a choice between social duty and ordinary human happiness.
"Eugene Onegin". Theater named after Evg. Vakhtangov. Pushkin's immortal work has survived many director's interpretations. But Rimas Tuminas managed to present the story of two sisters in a new light. The plot of “Eugene Onegin” is presented as an ode to bygone youth with its hopes, dreams and experiences.
"Master and Margarita". Theater arts studio. Sharp social humor and deep meaning are the constant components of any work by M. Bulgakov. This performance does not just convey the plot. A new stage reality was created in it.
"Muller machine". Gogol Center. The production combines several works by German playwright Heiner Müller, as well as excerpts from the writer’s letters and diaries. A special atmosphere is created by the combination of various genres of art: performance, music, dance, video art.
"(Martyr". Gogol Center. The performance is based on the work “Martyr” by the modern German playwright Marius von Mayenburg. The play is young, just 2 years ago it was first staged at the Schaubühne Theater in Berlin. Director Kirill Serebrennikov offers the viewer a Russian-language version of the story about religion at school.
"The Marriage of Figaro". Theater named after A.S. Pushkin. The role of the charming Figaro in the play is played by Sergei Lazarev. How not to lose faith in love, not to waste your love of life and creative power, having survived the betrayal of a friend, the imaginary betrayal of your wife, or getting away with it at court hearings? The answer is simple - experience one crazy day with Figaro.
Immersive show "The Returned". Russian-American project based on Henrik Ibsen’s play “Ghosts”. The performance is similar to a computer thriller - a wandering through a mysterious old mansion. In it, the viewer will feel completely immersed in the plot, and the action will take place at arm's length.
"Suicide". Theater arts studio. The tragicomedy about the “little man” based on Nikolai Erdman’s play “Suicide” is both funny and scary. The production is filled with piercing loneliness and extraordinary humor - this is how director Sergei Zhenovach characterizes his production.

"No. 13D." Moscow Art Theater named after A.P. Chekhov. “No. 13D” is a new version of the incredibly popular Moscow Art Theater production. The comical situation in which the main characters find themselves will captivate you from the first minutes of the remake performance. The production is casual, sparkling, dynamic. It contains a lot of relevant humor, life situations and good music.
"Hamlet collage". Theater of Nations. The production is about a man who finds himself alone with his own consciousness. Starring Evgeny Mironov. During the performance, he transforms into 7 Shakespearean characters at once. A technologically advanced, modern, extraordinary show accompanies the theatrical performance and evokes a feeling of miracle.
"Dead Souls". Gogol Center. Kirill Serebrennikov's production is non-standard in all respects. Almost empty stage. Ten actors who are constantly transforming themselves into landowners, village drunkards, a pack of dogs, and horses. An expressive story about a loser cheater who wants to deceive everyone, but in the end he himself finds himself deceived by everyone.
"Ideal husband". Moscow Art Theater named after A.P. Chekhov. The play exposes the unpleasant sides of modern life. Although it is based on Oscar Wilde, there are no lords, sirs or scenery in the spirit of good old England. The production “An Ideal Husband” is an unpredictable, sometimes shocking, montage of eras, literary works, advertising inserts, and chanson hits.
"Moscow-Petushki". Theater arts studio. The tragedy of a talented, smart and intelligent person in a mediocre country - this is the idea of the play. Statement is a diagnosis made to modern society. But if there is a diagnosis, then it is much easier to treat the disease, or maybe it is incurable?
"The Good Man from Szechwan." Theater named after A.S. Pushkin. How difficult it is to remain a kind person in the world around us with cruel rules. Paradox: the more good the main character of the play does, the more troubles she receives in return. A hopeless existence and base human instincts are not the best environment for good deeds.
"Talents and fans." Theater named after V. Mayakovsky. The play is about the theater, the nature of the artistic gift, and the complex acting profession - dependent and free at the same time. The multifaceted and complex personality of the artist, his habits, everyday life and worries - the play staged based on the work of A. Ostrovsky tells about all this.
"Gull". Russian State Theater "Satyricon". Comedy based on the play of the same name by A.P. Chekhov's interpretation by director Yuri Butusov is far from the classical presentation of the plot. But this is the highlight of the new production based on a long-known plot.
"Enemies: A Love Story." Theater "Sovremennik". The play touches on complex themes of war. A person who miraculously survived in concentration camps does not know how to manage his life in the future. At the same time, he constantly feels guilty for those who were not destined to survive the horrors of the fascist camps.
"Konstantin Raikin. Evening with Dostoevsky." Theater "Satyricon". One-man show with the participation of K.A. Raikina. An extraordinary production based on F. Dostoevsky’s story “Notes from Underground.” The focus is on the character Underground, who is trying to understand whether it is possible to at least be completely frank with himself and not be afraid of the truth.

"Triptych". Workshop of Pyotr Fomenko. The performance is a journey through literary genres. Together with the heroes of the production, the viewer will go on a journey through three works of Pushkin: “Count Nulin”, “The Stone Guest”, “Scene from Faust”. Three completely different performances are combined into one harmonious plot, in which there is also a place for poems by other masters of poetic art: I. Goethe, B. Pasternak, I. Brodsky.
"Warsaw Melody". Theater on Malaya Bronnaya. Many people know the plot of the play “Warsaw Melody” by heart. Will the love between a Moscow student and a Polish woman, a future singer, be able to overcome the power of the Iron Curtain of the USSR? This will be discussed in the performance based on the legendary play by Leonid Zorin.
"Uncle Ivan". Theater named after Evg. Vakhtangov. Director Rimas Tuminas offers to see Chekhov's characters in a new way, and well-known phrases will be heard in an unexpected context. Everyday aspects of life fade into the background in the production. The object of attention was unfulfilled hopes, battles of passions and broken illusions.
"Stories of Shukshin". Theater of Nations. An unconditional hit, based on the stories of V. Shukshin. The main characters are played by Evgeny Mironov and Chulpan Khamatova. The bright characters of Vasily Shukshin's stories, the star cast, the subtle direction, the sincere and touching image of the inhabitants of the Russian outback - all these components gave the performance the love of the audience.
"Imaginary patient." Maly Theatre. In the classical sense, the main character of Jean-Baptiste Moliere's play is the head of the family, a flabby and evil tyrant. But in the production of director Sergei Zhenovach, he appears in a completely new image: a sweet, playful, aging child who wants to remain the center of his family. To do this, you have to use a trick - pretend to be sick.
"One absolutely happy village." Workshop of Pyotr Fomenko (Old Stage). What happens when war appears in the lives of ordinary people? Trials, death, grief and tears - all this becomes part of the destiny of every person. But war is also life, which can be compared to a river. The flow encounters an obstacle that prevents normal flow. But the time comes, the water overcomes the barrier and again flows along its previous channel.
"Ivanov." Theater of Nations. The performance is based on the first play by A.P. Chekhov "Ivanov". The work is considered the most mysterious and unsolved among all the writer’s works. The production by Timofey Kulyabin features an excellent cast: Evgeny Mironov, Elizaveta Boyarskaya, Chulpan Khamatova, Igor Gordin, Viktor Verzhbitsky and others.
"Exile". Theater named after Vl. Mayakovsky. Scene on Sretenka. Migration and terrorism in Europe – this is the plot chosen by the creative tandem of Mindaugas Karbauskis and Marius Ivaskevicius for their performance. Moving to a foreign country turns out to be a labyrinth of instability, loneliness and loss of self for the characters.
"A dream in a summer night". Workshop of Pyotr Fomenko. Shakespeare's comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream will never get old. After all, directors always manage to discover new facets of a work that has long become a classic of foreign literature. The Peter Fomenko Workshop invites viewers to watch a fresh production of a light work, both naive and complex, like a chess game.

10 best performances in Moscow: audience rating 2019

Sometimes theater critics and audiences have different opinions about the same performance. We offer a rating of performances that were highly appreciated by the audience. Theatrical productions were rated by theater visitors on a scale from 0 to 10 on the poster site listim.com.

"Mademoiselle Nitouche." Theater named after E Vakhtangov.

A light, carefree musical comedy in the best traditions of the Vakhtangov school. The production is made in the style of famous performances of this theater: “The Straw Hat”, “Ladies and Hussars”, “Old Russian Vaudevilles”. There is live music during the performance. Under it, the heroes each find their own happiness. Mischievous dancing, witty jokes, and vaudeville intrigues fill the performance to the very brim. An ironic and fascinating story with a happy ending - an ideal atmosphere for relaxation and good mood.

"The Canterville Ghost." MO Puppet Theater

Oscar Wilde was a wonderful storyteller. Proof of this is the short story “The Canterville Ghost”. The Taganka Puppet Theater offers you to plunge into the magical atmosphere of a fairy tale story that was written many years ago. Adults and children will see a touching story about how the love of a kind girl will save a ghost that has been frightening the residents of Canterville Castle for many years. The main highlight of the performance is the interaction of actors and puppets with the audience. The action takes place in a cozy chamber hall, where everyone takes part in the performance and is completely immersed in its magical atmosphere.

"True stories of women, men and gods." Theater.doc

Even if a person is well versed in ancient mythology, many surprises await him in the play “True Stories of Women, Men and Gods.” The heroes of the play turn out to be different from what they are used to seeing in mythological stories: Sisyphus cannot imagine his life without a stone, and Medea did not kill her children. Archana's life is generally reminiscent of the stories of women in prison. A new reading will make you think and draw parallels between the ancient worlds and modernity.

"Jesus Christ Superstar. Mossovet Theater

The performance is based on an opera known throughout the world. It has been held on the stage of the Mossovet Theater for several years in a row, but the audience’s interest in it does not fade. The popularity of the production is easy to explain. It successfully intertwines all the components of modern theatrical performance: rock music, Russian dramatic art, beautiful special effects, live singing and unsurpassed acting. The theater does not copy the legendary rock opera, it introduces its own character into it, translates the libretto into Russian in a free translation, and adds new dramatic lines.

"Berdichev". Theater named after V. Mayakovsky

A drama in 6 episodes, 30 years and 68 scandals - this is how the authors characterize their production. In essence, this is a saga spanning 30 years. It tells the story of a Jewish family, which covers the period from 1945 to 1975. At its center are the sisters Rachel and Zlota. The life of the family flows along its usual course: they make jam, sew clothes to order, argue, make peace, experience difficulties, ruin each other’s lives and at the same time help each other in difficult situations.

"Kantgrad". Theater. doc

Kantgrad – such a city has never existed. But there was Königsberg - the city where the famous philosopher Kant lived and thought. And then there was Kaliningrad, which became part of the Soviet Union. “Kantgrad” is a documentary story about the Germans evicted from their homes and the Russians who came to develop the city after the war. The viewer is faced with a difficult dilemma: how should the winners and losers live in the same city? Some began to build a new life, while others had to say goodbye to the old one. The events in the play are not the invention of the playwright or director, but documentary evidence, real stories of people who survived the difficult post-war period in Königsberg.

"Fathers & Sons". ApARTe Theater

The conflict of generations is eternal, as is the interest in the work of I.S. Turgenev "Fathers and Sons". But in the play “Fathers & Sons,” the antagonism of generations and the nihilism of the main character fade into the background. The production is dedicated to the theme of love. She is emotional, bright, lively, dynamic, interesting. It successfully combines classical elements of the work and a modern interpretation of the plot. A striking example is the image of Bazarov, who becomes similar to modern rebels committed to subcultures.

"Meek." Theater Center on Strastnoy

Life is short, it has the ability to end abruptly. You need to rush to express your love and affection to your closest people. After all, sometimes there is not so much time for this. You can’t live in a box, it’s time to start learning to express your emotions. The performance, directed by Pavel Safonov, reminds viewers of the most important values in life. For 80 minutes, actor Evgeny Stychkin conducts a frank dialogue with the viewer. The main character manages to appeal to every spectator in the hall, and many visitors to the performance feel that all these 80 minutes of the performance are dedicated to him.

"Rabbit Edward" RAMT

The play is based on the work of American writer Kate di Camillo, “The Amazing Journey of Edward Rabbit.” The book is read all over the world and now its stage production can be seen at RAMT. Rabbit Edward travels through difficult trials, goes from pride and selfishness to the ability to open his heart to people. The creators of the play advise parents and children to come to the theater together, see this unusual story, and then think and talk about it at home.

"Letters and songs of middle-aged men." Quartet I

The performance has nothing to do with the epistolary genre or a pop music concert. But it contains letters and songs from the group “Accident”, as well as the actors of “Quartet I” who read and discuss these letters. Where did this stack of letters come from? Nobody knows for sure the answer to this question. Yes, in principle, it doesn’t matter. The main thing is the difficult life of a modern man, which will be discussed in the play.

On February 7, the creative laboratory “Ugol” hosted a lecture by drama theater observer, critic, author of publications “Afisha”, “Afisha-Daily”, “Petersburg Theater Magazine”, “Colta”, “KROT” Alexey Kiselev “10 performances that changed the world " The performance is part of a trilogy of lectures on theatrical art, which has developed and transformed over three centuries, and is the “golden mean” between classical and modern theater. “All of this is an attempt to understand how certain episodes in the history of theater became turning points throughout the world. After all, after each of the performances listed here, it seemed to people that it couldn’t get any better. Today we will trace the brief history of the theater of the last century, consider all the shades of the experiences of theatrical art of that century,” said the lecturer. Theater and non-theater: division into two camps The end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century is a real tornado, the whirlwinds of which affected not only social, political, but also cultural life throughout the world. Thus, the “tornado of change” reached the theatrical art, dividing it into “right” and “wrong”, where the second - first of all, unconventional - is the artistic opposition to the first. An example of “wrong theater” is Anton Chekhov’s play “The Seagull” of 1898. The playwright creates new rules for the theater: there is no unity of time and place, the main task is to reflect reality as it really is; the artists pause, the concept of an acting ensemble appears, and the understanding comes that “you are not alone on stage.” Next on the TOP 10 list is the futurists' performance "Victory over the Sun" of 1913 - an unrealistic and fantastic theater, the "abstruse language" of which sets it apart from other performances. The futuristic opera by Mikhail Matyushin and Alexei Kruchenykh was entirely built on literary, musical and pictorial illogicality. The plot of the opera revolves around how a group of “Budetlyans” (Budetlyans are a group of writers, the first Russian futurist group, which later turned into the Cubo-Futurist movement; “Budetlyans are people who will be,” V.V. Mayakovsky - editor’s note) set off conquer the sun. In their work, the authors glorify the idea of building a new future, which can only be built after the destruction of the old. Matyushin wrote about the concept of the production: “The opera has a deep inner content, mocking the old romanticism and verbosity; the whole Victory over the Sun is a victory over the old familiar concept of the sun as beauty.” The next one is a comedy in 5 acts by Alexander Ostrovsky “Enough Simplicity for Every Wise Man” from 1923, which for the first time includes video material in the performance. The fourth in a row is the play “The Inspector General” (1926), staged by Vsevolod Meyerhold. This production symbolizes the beginning of the era of director's theater: all traditions are destroyed - the director himself adds and changes lines; the director plays the main role here. Using the example of The Inspector General, theatrical art demonstrates the right to be independent from literature. The play of the German poet and playwright Bertolt Brecht “Mother Courage and Her Children” of 1951, the mise-en-scène of which is the logo of the country of that time, brings with it a new theatrical system - epic theater, where the actor does not hide the fact that he is an actor. The subtitle of the play is “Chronicle of the Thirty Years' War.” A real example of the “theater of the absurd”, in which the image of humanity is built according to the law of anti-dramatism, is the performance based on the play “Waiting for Godot” by Irish playwright in 1953. This is the first performance “without a logical connection, without meaning, where there are no punctuation points.” According to the author himself, the play “Waiting for Godot” was an experiment, an attempt to escape from the “depression of prose.” A performance that goes to the extreme and shows life as it is, where the artist plays in the circumstances offered to him, is the drama “Acropolis” by Stanislaw Wyspiański, staged by the Jerzy Grotowski Theater-Laboratory in 1962. Grotowski transfers all the scenes of Polish drama to Auschwitz. The terrible reality of the performance becomes the phrase “Tribal Cemetery!” Making the life of prisoners in Auschwitz the basis of the play, the director imbues historical myths and biblical legends with new meaning. “Heroes die from humility. All of them - ancient Jews and Trojans, knights and prisoners - were waiting for the Messiah. We were waiting for a hero. The Messiah did not come. The hero didn’t save them.” This turns into a blow to the viewer's perception. Marate/Sade, a two-act play by West German playwright Peter Weiss, created in 1963 and staged at the Schiller Theater in West Berlin in 1964, is an example of a theater of cruelty, where performers understand harsh truths and rebel against injustice. The play is based on a fictional dispute between direct participants in the Great French Revolution, expressing their views on the events that took place fifteen years after the assassination of Jean-Paul Marat (a political figure of the era of the Great French Revolution, a doctor, a radical journalist, one of the leaders of the Jacobins - editor's note. ). The action of the play takes place in the Charenton mental hospital and is almost entirely a “performance within a performance.” Provocative theater in which there is no plot, no script, no director, but only absolute improvisation - this is “Paradise now” 1968 by the American theater company The Living Theater, famous for staging experimental plays with very radical content and merciless war with theatrical traditions, authorities and audiences. As part of the play, the characters burn money, smoke drugs and call for freedom from everything. Rounding out the list is Philip Glass and Bob Wilson's 1976 four-act opera Einstein on the Beach, which, unlike a "traditional" opera, has no soloists at all - only a small chorus that sings a meaningless collection of syllables in time with the music. Thus, the authors want to prove that the plot does not make sense, there is no plot in life, there is beauty in life: dances, poetry, music, people - this is a theater of real unearthly beauty. The play is dominated by three visual themes - the train, the trial and the spaceship hovering above the earth. There are rumors among musicologists that the music in the train scene in "Einstein on the Beach" is a sparrow chirping played backwards at ten times the speed. It is noteworthy that the performance lasts 4.5 hours without an intermission - the audience is free to leave the hall whenever they please. The second lecture in the trilogy by Alexei Kiselev is a whole range of reflections on theatrical forms and directors of that time, where “Meyerhold stages “all Gogol,” Beckett turns absurdity into the mainstream, Living Theater strips themselves and burns money, and Grotowski drives artists into a trance " “In search of direct contact” When asked why people are increasingly abandoning stories and linear storytelling, the critic says the following: “The human brain changes, perceptions transform. Today's brains require a different approach, people abandon the plot and seek direct contact, consciousness changes - the theatrical form also changes. Everything is measured by the history of the development of consciousness.” Author - Karina Karmanova