Maly Theatre

The State Academic Maly Theatre on Theatre Square in Moscow is Russia's oldest drama house, founded in 1756 under Empress Elizabeth Petrovna. The main stage has occupied the building by architect Osip Bove since 1824, right next door to the Bolshoi Theatre. In the 19th century the Maly became the home of Alexander Ostrovsky, whose forty-four plays were largely premiered here, which is why the theatre is still nicknamed Ostrovsky's House and his monument stands out front. The repertoire focuses on the classic Russian canon: Ostrovsky, Chekhov, Tolstoy, Schiller. Tickets are inexpensive by Bolshoi standards and usually available even on short notice.