For the first time, a live broadcast of the ballet The Nutcracker will be shown in Russian cinemas. The event will reach more than 100 venues nationwide, with screenings on December 30 at 19:00 and December 31 at 12:00. On the final day of the year, VK Video will stream the performance at 20:00, making a classic stage production accessible to cinema audiences across the country.
The Bolshoi Theatre announced the start date for ticket sales on November 25, with sales opening on December 2 at 10:00 Moscow time. Demand is described as enormous, and some tickets may be sold in auction with a starting price of 100,000 rubles, reflecting the ballet’s enduring appeal.
A broad share of Nutcracker tickets at the Bolshoi has been allocated to social institutions in Moscow and other regions. Approximately 1,500 tickets were reserved for military personnel, participants in special military operations, and their families, highlighting the theater’s outreach during this period.
A ballet dancer, Anastasia Volochkova, criticized the Bolshoi Theatre’s Nutcracker ticket auction as a mockery of the audience, a remark that sparked discussion within the arts community.
Earlier, lawmakers in the State Duma voiced criticisms of Bolshoi ticket pricing, pointing to affordability concerns and the impact on potential patrons. The ongoing debate underscores the tension between high-profile cultural events and public accessibility as the calendar of performances evolves.