Moscow offers many forms of entertainment, from great theatre productions, operas and ballets to a wide choice of lively nightlife venues. Attending a performance at the Bolshoy remains a must for opera and ballet buffs, although the main stage is closed while undergoing refurbishment. Other theatres put on an enormous range of productions, including musicals and shows for children. Moscow has several cinemas screening foreign-language films. They usually show the latest releases only a few weeks after they are premiered in the West. The city also has over 300 nightclubs and many late-night bars, some of which have live bands. In addition, there is plenty of free entertainment from street performers, especially on ulitsa Arbat.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Moscow does not have any conventional tourist information offices. However, listings for events such as films, plays, concerts and exhibitions, together with extensive lists of restaurants and nightclubs can be found in the Friday edition of the English-language newspaper The Moscow Times. Restaurants and nightclubs are also listed in the English-language The Exile. Both are free and available at large hotels. Those who can read Russian can take advantage of the magazines Afisha and Dozug, both of which have comprehensive listings sections.
Visitors should note that the safest way to get back from late-night events is in an official taxi booked in advance.
BOOKING TICKETS
By far the easiest way to book tickets for a concert, a ballet, an opera or the theatre is through one of the main international hotels, even for visitors not staying there. Both Western-style and Russian-run hotels will usually offer this service, However tickets bought in this way often more expensive than those available elsewhere. Ticket-booking desks in hotels accept payment by major credit cards, but many will charge a fee for doing so. Visitors who speak Russian will be able to buy cheaper tickets from a theatre ticket kiosk (teatralnaya kassa). These kiosks are scattered all round the city and in metro stations. A particularly useful ticket agency is located on Theatre Square.
Another alternative is to book tickets at the venues. Although these tickets are usually the cheapest, it can require a lot of patience to obtain them since ticket offices are often open at unpredictable hours.
There are ticket touts outside most events, especially those at the Bolshoy Theatre. However, there is a risk that their tickets are counterfeit and they will almost certainly be overpriced.
THE MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS
Russians have always loved the circus. In the 18th and 19th centuries it was the most popular theatrical entertainment. Troupes travelled round the country performing mostly satirical shows. Today the renowned Moscow State Circus has its permanent home in Moscow. It is famous for its clowns, the breathtaking stunts of its acrobats and trapeze artists and its performing animals. The latter often include tigers jumping through burning hoops and bears riding bicycles, and animal-lovers should be aware that they may find some acts distressing. The original venue, now known as the Old Circus, was built in 1880 by Albert Salamonskiy for his private troupe. Salamonskiy’s Circus became the Moscow State Circus in 1919. The New Circus was built in 1973. Both venues are now in use.
CHILDREN’S ENTERTAINMENT
Traditional Russian entertainments for children have always included the puppet theatre, the zoo and the circus. Moscow has two puppet theatres: the Obraztsov Puppet Theatre, which puts on matinee performances for children, and the Moscow Puppet Theatre. The Nataliya Sats Children’s Musical Theatre performs excellent shows, great for children of all ages.
The Russian Academic Youth Theatre puts on a range of performances suitable for children from the age of seven.
Moscow Zoo is a great favourite but, unfortunately, the animals often look underfed and cramped in their cages.
At Arlecchino Children’s Club children can play with toys and computer games or be entertained by clowns.
Miracle City at Gorky Park is an outdoor, Western-style amusement complex, which opens from late spring until late October. Children under 1.2 m (4 ft) tall are given free entry to all the children’s rides, which include merry-go-rounds, trains and mini racing cars. There are also more high-octane rides, such as roller coasters.
Also in Gorky Park is the Buran Shuttle, a space shuttle that, since its one unmanned test flight, has been converted into a simulator. Would-be astronauts can also sample the tubes of foods, such as soups and pates, that cosmonauts typically eat.
SPECTATOR SPORTS
Traditionally, the most popular sports in Russia are football and hockey. Important matches and championships are held at the Dynamo Central House of Sports, the Krylatskoye Sports Complex and the Olympic Sports Complex. On the whole, Moscow’s football rounds are safe, although hooliganism is beginning to become a problem. Krylatskoye also has a race-course and a canal where rowing races take place. The Olympic Sports Complex is Moscow’s main venue for tennis tournaments.