The Alexandrinsky is the first Russian state public theatre. Alongside the Bolshoi, Mariinsky, and Mikhailovsky theatres, it is undoubtedly one of the most famous in Russia. It is also well-known abroad: since 2006, the international "Alexandrinsky" festival has been held here, and almost every second foreign tourist visiting Saint Petersburg likely has a photo in front of its facade.
I was fortunate enough to take a tour of the interiors of this magnificent theatre, and I’m eager to share with you the details of this incredible journey.
How to Join the Tour
The theatre building is located in the "tourist heart" of Saint Petersburg, just a few minutes' walk from Nevsky Prospekt, at 6 Ostrovsky Square. The nearest metro station is "Gostiny Dvor."
Anyone can take a tour of the historic building—there’s no need to be on the theatre staff or to buy a ticket for a performance; all that’s required is a prior reservation. Information about visits can be found on the theatre's official website.
The tour I attended is called "The Splendid Alexandrinsky Theatre." It includes a visit to several rooms of the historic building, including the auditorium, and a look at the exhibits in the Museum of Russian Drama. The cost of this tour for Russian citizens is 400 rubles. Photography costs an additional 100 rubles, but this is optional.
A Bit of History
The theatre troupe was founded by decree of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna in 1756. For many years, the actors did not have their own building and received one only during the reign of Nicholas I. The theatre's name is connected to his wife, Alexandra Feodorovna.
The stone building was laid here in 1828, and four years later, the theatre opened its doors to visitors. The architect was the famous St. Petersburg architect Carlo Rossi, who was already well-known at the time for his other large-scale projects, such as the General Staff Building and the ensemble of the Mikhailovsky Palace. Today, the halls of the latter house the collections of the Russian Museum.
Nowadays, a wide variety of performances are staged at the Alexandrinsky Theatre, and many theatrical events—lectures, meetings, and concerts—are held. Its staff consists of 70 actors and 300 administrative and service personnel. Since 2003, the theatre’s artistic director has been Valery Vladimirovich Fokin.
Touring the Alexandrinsky Theatre
Our tour of the theatre begins not with the cloakroom, but with the Carriage Gallery and foyer, located on the ground floor. The tour is enriched by a fascinating narrative from the guide, a theatre employee. Visitors learn many historical and modern facts about theatrical life.
Of course, the highlight of visiting the Alexandrinsky Theatre is its auditorium. You’ll be able to examine every detail of the exquisite historic interior, learn what color the room was originally decorated in, and see the seats where Alexander Pushkin and Carlo Rossi once sat. This part of the tour concludes in the royal box.
The journey into the magical world of the theatre continues with a visit to the Museum of Russian Drama, located a few floors up. Here, in eight rooms, you can see a vast number of theatrical costumes and various stage props. The exhibition is divided into themes, including the "Boyar," "Gogol," and "Imperial" rooms.
At this point, our tour comes to an end. But in conclusion, I want to say: "Go to the theatre, it’s very interesting." There is a common belief that it’s also very expensive, but while preparing this material, I checked the ticket prices. The cheapest ticket I found was just 100 rubles. Admittedly, this is not for the royal box or the orchestra section, but for the very back rows of the mezzanine, yet anyone can afford such a purchase.
Before visiting the theatre, you can rest in Catherine Garden nearby, or take a walk along Zodchego Rossi Street, which is unique for its proportions. The street’s width is equal to the height of the buildings (22 meters), and its length is exactly ten times greater (220 meters).
In summary:
- A wonderful tour of the famous historical interiors;
- One of the best guides, in my opinion;
- Be prepared: after the tour, you’ll definitely want to attend a performance at the theatre.
