The Academic Maly Drama Theater in St. Petersburg recently came under a formal supervisory review prompted by a citizen’s request, according to a law enforcement source. The review aimed to assess management, safety, and compliance with regulations governing public cultural institutions, with authorities coordinating their efforts across several agencies to ensure accountability and transparency in the process.
The audit was conducted after a citizen submitted a formal request to the prosecutor’s office. Participants included specialists from the Ministry of Emergencies and Rospotrebnadzor, who joined the inspection to verify compliance with safety standards. Earlier findings indicated violations related to fire safety requirements and sanitary and epidemiological rules, which triggered further scrutiny and corrective actions to protect public welfare and theater staff alike.
Recently, it was reported that Rospotrebnadzor connected to the Maly Drama Theater in St. Petersburg uncovered circumstances leading to the temporary sealing of the European Theater site within the city. The action reflected regulatory concerns tied to sanitary and epidemiological safety and the need to address any risks to visitors and employees while investigations continued.
The department stated that the inspection revealed multiple breaches of laws designed to safeguard the sanitary and epidemiological well‑being of the population. As a consequence, a protocol was issued to impose a temporary ban on theater activities starting May 5, 2023, pending corrective measures and ongoing oversight to restore compliance and ensure safe operations going forward.