The institute of Russian theatre is something absolutely special. We have modern theatres and traditional ones. Of course, traditional ones are more “Russian”, because they show us real Chekhov, Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Turgenev.
The most important drama theatre in Moscow is “The Moscow Art Theatre”. It can also be translated as “Moscow Chekhov Drama Theatre”. In Russia we usually call it simply “Mkhat’ (it is an abbreviation; the full name is Moskovskiy Hudojestvenniy Akademicheskiy Teatr).
Nowadays everyone knows about Stanislavski’s system. It influenced the whole acting world. And this is the very theatre where Stanislavsky developed and implemented his system!
Today Mkhat’s repertoire is widely varied, but I would advise you to visit traditional plays by Chekhov or Turgenev. In this theatre Russian classical literature is performed absolutely amazingly! True feelings, true emotions, wonderful pieces of scenery and costumes… The Moscow Art Theatre gives me everything I want to get from the theatre.
If you come a bit earlier, you’ll have the chance to visit a museum inside the theatre. The history of Mkhat is presented there in different photos, costumes, pictures, pieces of scenery. This exhibition will definitely put you in a special mood before the performance. The atmosphere in the museum and in the theatre won’t leave you cold.
And when the play is finished, you can continue your evening with dinner at any of the nearby cafes and restaurants or even with a walk to the Red Square.
