The Maly Theatre Moscow is the city’s classic drama theatre, standing next to the Bolshoi on Theatre Square in the center. Its company traces its history to the Moscow University troupe of 1756, and it has performed on this site since 1824, which makes it one of the oldest theatres in Russia.
The name Maly means small, compared with the Bolshoi, big, next door, and the building became the stage for plays by Alexander Ostrovsky, which earned it the nickname House of Ostrovsky. Performances are in Russian. This guide explains how to find the theatre among the buildings of Theatre Square, how the 1824 building was reshaped, what the repertoire is like, how the theatre differs from the Bolshoi, how tickets work, and how to combine an evening with a walk to Red Square.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Государственный академический Малый театр России |
|---|---|
| Built / opened | 1824 |
| Architect(s) | Joseph Bové (project) and A. F. Elkinsky (reconstruction in 1824); Konstantin Thon (enlargement in 1838 to 1840) |
| Address | Teatralnaya Square 1/6, Moscow (Teatralny Proezd 1, beside the Bolshoi Theatre) |
| District | Tverskoy |
| Metro | Teatralnaya (Line 2, green, the closest station on Theatre Square; a walk of about 2 to 3 minutes (estimate)) Okhotny Ryad (Line 1, red, also named as a nearby station; about 3 to 5 minutes (estimate)) Ploshchad Revolyutsii (Line 3, dark blue, also named as a nearby station) |
| Opening hours | Performances follow the theatre's repertoire and the box office hours were not verified, so check the official site for the current schedule and ticket desk times (as of October 2026 – check the official site). |
| Admission | Entry is by performance ticket; prices vary by production and seat and were not verified, so check the official site. |
| Best time to visit | Evenings are the main performance time, and weekends are the busiest. The theatre works all year round and suits a rainy or winter day; see the Moscow in the Rain: Indoor Sightseeing Itinerary. The square is calmer in the morning. |
| Recommended duration | About 3 hours for a performance |
| Website | maly.ru |
| Last updated | October 9, 2026 |
What Is (and Isn't) Part of a Visit to Maly Theatre Moscow?
| Part | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A performance in the main auditorium | Included in the standard ticket | A ticket gives a seat at one performance. |
| Other stages of the theatre | Separate ticket or institution | The theatre has more than one stage; check which stage your ticket is for. |
| The facade and the Ostrovsky monument | Outside / not part of it | Free to see from Theatre Square. |
| Backstage areas | Not open to visitors | Not open to the general public. |
| The Bolshoi Theatre | Outside / not part of it | The neighboring theatre, a separate institution with its own tickets. |
| TsUM department store | Outside / not part of it | A shopping building on the square, not part of the theatre. |
Why Visit Maly Theatre Moscow?
The Maly is the best place in Moscow to see Russian classical drama staged in the traditional way. Its repertoire is built around plays by Fonvizin, Griboedov, Gogol and Ostrovsky, among others, and a guide notes that it mostly presents classic costume dramas, with about four or five premieres a year.
The theatre’s history gives the visit a sense of depth: the company dates to 1756 and the building to 1824, and the theatre received the status of a national treasure, a cultural object of special value, by presidential decree in 1992. The location on Theatre Square, with the Bolshoi, the TsUM department store and the Metro at the door, makes an evening easy to organize.
How Maly Theatre Moscow Is Laid Out
The theatre occupies a building on Teatralnaya Square, number 1/6, next to the Bolshoi Theatre, with a columned facade facing the square. Inside are the main auditorium, foyers and the ticket office, and a monument to the playwright Alexander Ostrovsky stands in front of the building.
The building was rebuilt in 1824 from a merchant’s mansion and enlarged by the architect Konstantin Thon in 1838 to 1840, who changed the interior layout completely. Theatre Square is framed by neoclassical buildings, with the Bolshoi, the TsUM store and Metro stations around it. Check your ticket for the stage, since the theatre has more than one, and check the official site for the current repertoire.
Highlights of Maly Theatre Moscow
The House of Ostrovsky
Alexander Ostrovsky is the author most associated with the Maly, with about forty of his plays premiering here according to one source, while another says all 48 of his plays were staged, and he wrote for the troupe and read his plays to it. The theatre is known as the House of Ostrovsky. A monument to him stands in front of the building. Check whether an Ostrovsky play is in the repertoire.
Tip: Choose an Ostrovsky play if you want the theatre's signature repertoire.
The classical repertoire
The Maly positions itself as a traditional drama theatre of the classical heritage, staging plays by Fonvizin, Griboedov, Gogol, Pushkin and Chekhov, among others, mostly in period costume. It also stages some musicals and modern plays. Check the repertoire and the language: performances are in Russian.
Tip: Read a plot summary before the show, since performances are in Russian.
The 1824 building and Konstantin Thon
The first performance in the building took place on 14 (26) October 1824, after the architect A. F. Elkinsky rebuilt the mansion of the merchant Vargin for the theatre on the project of Joseph Bové. In 1838 to 1840 Konstantin Thon completed it to its current volume and changed the interior layout. Look at the columned facade from the square. Check the lighting in the evening.
Tip: Look at the facade from the square before you go in.
Why it is called Maly
The name means small, because the mansion on Petrovskaya, now Teatralnaya, Square was small compared with the Bolshoi next door, which gave the pair their names. The two theatres stand side by side. Look for the contrast in the facades. Check which door is which on your ticket.
Tip: Check the name on your ticket, since the Bolshoi is the building next door.
The 1756 university troupe
The company was created at Moscow University in 1756, soon after the decree of Empress Elizaveta Petrovna that marked the birth of a professional theatre in the country, and it moved into the building on Theatre Square in 1824. It is one of the oldest theatre companies in Russia. Check the theatre's history page for more details.
Tip: Read the history page before your visit for context.
National treasure status
By a decree of the President of Russia in 1992 the theatre was declared national property and was included in the list of cultural objects of special value. It shows the theatre's place in Russian cultural life. Check the theatre's own pages for what the status means in practice.
Tip: Use the status as a reason to pick the Maly for a classical evening.
Atmosphere
On the square the lit columns of the Maly stand beside the grander facade of the Bolshoi, with theatregoers streaming toward both and taxis pulling up under the lamps. Inside the foyer is warm and ornate, and the auditorium has the hush of an old theatre before the curtain.
Audiences are Muscovites, regulars and groups, often dressed up, with more older visitors than at newer stages. Weekend evenings are the busiest, and the street outside carries the sounds of the city center. After the performance the crowd flows down to Teatralnaya Metro or along Teatralny Proezd toward Kitay-Gorod.
History of Maly Theatre Moscow
The company traces its history to the troupe created at Moscow University in 1756, immediately after the decree of Empress Elizaveta Petrovna that marked the birth of a professional theatre in the country. The theatre was established in 1806, with one source giving its first home as Pashkov House.
In 1824, on the project of the architect Joseph Bové, the architect A. F. Elkinsky rebuilt the mansion of the merchant Vargin on Petrovskaya Square, now Teatralnaya Square, for the theatre, and the first performance took place there on 14 (26) October 1824. The building became known as the Maly, small, in contrast with the Bolshoi next door.
In 1838 to 1840, after adjoining plots were bought, the architect Konstantin Thon completed the building to its current volume and completely changed the interior layout. Alexander Ostrovsky became the main author associated with the theatre, which was nicknamed the House of Ostrovsky. In 1992 a presidential decree gave the theatre the status of a national treasure. Dates and details should be checked against the theatre’s official site, and this history is shorter than requested because few facts could be verified; sources differ on the numbers of Ostrovsky’s plays staged and on the early dates.
Tickets and Booking for Maly Theatre Moscow
Tickets. Tickets are sold at the theatre’s box office and through the official site, and prices vary by production and seat, so no figures are given here; no booking window was verified. An older guide says tickets could be requested by contacting the theatre with the dates of interest. Check the repertoire when it is published and book early for popular productions. Performances are in Russian, and no translation service was verified. Rates for Russian citizens and concessions differ, so check the official site maly.ru for all categories.
Payment. Cash in rubles is the safe option at the box office. Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards are reported not to work in Russia, and your country’s sanctions rules may restrict some payment services, so check this yourself.
Plan and Book
Suggested Itineraries for Maly Theatre Moscow
3 hours
Arrive early, look at the facade and the Ostrovsky monument, take your seat and watch the performance, then walk to Teatralnaya Metro.
Evening in the center
Have dinner near Theatre Square, attend a performance and finish with a walk to Red Square, following the Red Square and Moscow Kremlin Walking Itinerary.
Theatre day
Visit the Central Children's Store on Lubyanka or Kuznetsky Most in the afternoon and see an evening show at the Maly.
How to Get to Maly Theatre Moscow
Take the Metro to Teatralnaya (Line 2, green), a walk of about 2 to 3 minutes to Theatre Square, or to Okhotny Ryad (Line 1, red) or Ploshchad Revolyutsii (Line 3, dark blue). The theatre’s address is Teatralnaya Square 1/6, next to the Bolshoi.
- By taxi: ask for Teatralnaya Square 1/6, the Maly Theatre.
- On foot: the theatre is a short walk from Red Square and Tverskaya Street.
- Orientation: look for the columned building beside the Bolshoi.
Accessibility
The building is historic and was reshaped in the 19th century, and accessibility facilities such as lifts, ramps and wheelchair spaces were not verified on the official site, so check maly.ru or call the box office before you go.
Food Nearby
The streets around Theatre Square, Tverskaya Street and Kuznetsky Most have many cafes and restaurants, and the Hotel Metropol is across the square; the exact venues were not verified. See the Moscow Food Tour: Russian Cuisine and Local Specialties itinerary.
What to Bring
Bring smart-casual clothing, a light layer for the foyer and cash in rubles for the box office and programs.
Best Views and Photo Spots of Maly Theatre Moscow
The facade from Theatre Square
A columned building beside the Bolshoi, lit in the evening.
Best time: Dusk.
The Ostrovsky monument
A bronze playwright seated in front of the theatre.
Best time: Morning light.
Theatre Square
The square framed by the Maly, the Bolshoi and the TsUM building.
Best time: Early evening.
The foyer before the show
A warm, ornate lobby; ask before photographing.
Best time: Before the performance.
Photography Rules
Photography and video during performances are generally not allowed, and flash is not appropriate, so follow signs and staff instructions. The facade and the monument outside may be photographed for personal use, and drones must not be flown near the center.
Family Suitability
Suitable for older children who can follow a play in Russian, since performances are long and classical, with some productions for younger audiences; check the repertoire. Stroller access was not verified. Check age recommendations for each production.
Moscow Vibes Tips
- Read the plot before the show, since performances are in Russian.
- Check the name on your ticket, since the Bolshoi is the building next door.
- Choose an Ostrovsky or Gogol play for the theatre's traditional repertoire.
- Dress smart-casual, since many theatregoers dress up.
- Arrive early to see the facade and the monument in the light.
- Combine the evening with Red Square, which is a short walk away.
Explore Nearby Maly Theatre Moscow
Sights near Maly Theatre Moscow
Central Children's Store on Lubyanka Moscowabout 200 m away (~4 min walk) · typical visit: About 1 to 2 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Bolshoi Theatre Moscow – about 150 m away (~3 min walk) · typical visit: 3–4 hours for a performance; about 1 hour for a guided tourMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines Moscowabout 250 m away (~4 min walk) · typical visit: About 1 to 2 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812 Moscowabout 400 m away (~6 min walk) · typical visit: About 1.5 to 2 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Moscow Museum of Archaeologyabout 400 m away (~7 min walk) · typical visit: About 45 minutes to 1 hourMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Chekhov Moscow Art Theatreabout 500 m away (~8 min walk) · typical visit: About 3 hours for a performanceMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Metro stations near Maly Theatre Moscow
Teatralnaya Metro Stationabout 200 m away (~3 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Ploshchad Revolyutsii Metro Stationabout 350 m away (~5 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Kuznetsky Most Metro Stationabout 350 m away (~6 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Restaurants and cafes near Maly Theatre Moscow
SAVVAabout 150 m away (~2 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Metropol Restaurantabout 150 m away (~2 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Tkemaliabout 200 m away (~3 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Varenichnaya No. 1about 350 m away (~5 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Nightlife near Maly Theatre Moscow
Kadril Karaoke Clubabout 200 m away (~3 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Papa's Barabout 300 m away (~5 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Hotels near Maly Theatre Moscow
Hotel Metropol Moscowabout 150 m away (~2 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Ararat Park Hotel Moscowabout 50 m away (~1 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Hotel Savoy Moscowabout 200 m away (~3 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Events and traditions near Maly Theatre Moscow
Circle of Light Festival in Moscowabout 150 m away (~3 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Moscow Fish Weekabout 500 m away (~8 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Golden Autumn Festival in Moscowabout 550 m away (~9 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Related guides
Red Square and Moscow Kremlin Walking Itinerary: Route and TimingsMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Kitay-Gorod and Zaryadye Park Walking Itinerary: Route and TimingsMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Kuznetsky Most: Moscow’s Old Shopping Street and French ShopsMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Moscow in the Rain: Indoor Sightseeing Itinerary: Dry Stops and ArtMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Let’s Rock Bar: 24-Hour Live Rock Bar on Kuznetsky Most, MoscowMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Browse more: More in Tverskoy · All Entertainment · All Sightseeing
FAQ: Maly Theatre Moscow
Why is it called Maly?
It means small, in contrast with the Bolshoi, big, next door.
When was the building opened?
The first performance in it was on 14 (26) October 1824.
Who is the House of Ostrovsky?
The nickname for the Maly, where many of Alexander Ostrovsky's plays premiered.
Which Metro station is closest?
Teatralnaya, a few minutes on foot.
Are performances in English?
No, they are in Russian; no translation service was verified.
Is it the same as the Bolshoi?
No. The Bolshoi is the neighboring opera and ballet theatre.
How old is the company?
It traces its history to 1756.
Can I pay with a foreign card?
Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards are reported not to work in Russia, so carry cash in rubles; see the booking section for sanctions rules.
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Last updated: October 9, 2026. Found an error or something out of date? Report it and we will check and fix it.
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