After a fire erupted on the Satire Theater Main Stage at 19:00 on February 2, the premiere of The Very Married Taxi Driver proceeded as planned, according to RIA News. The incident cast a shadow over the evening performance, highlighting the fragile balance between live theater and safety concerns that can suddenly upend a schedule in the heart of the city. In the days that followed, the theater faced a broader disruption as management announced the postponement of several shows to ensure audience safety and the integrity of the venue. The immediate impact stretched across the calendar, with the first week of February seeing a pause on multiple productions that normally populate the theater’s winter lineup.
By January 31, official notices indicated that performances would be canceled through February 4. The affected titles included Three Floors Above, This Boy, My Favorites, The Boy Who Lived on the Rooftop and Carlson, and Tango for a Million. The theater explained that rescheduling and refunds would be provided to ticket holders, and that the changes were necessary to address concerns raised by the incident. Patrons with tickets for the affected performances were advised to await further instructions from the box office and to check communications from the theater for the latest updates on new dates or processing refunds.
On the afternoon of January 28, a fire broke out at the Moscow Satire Theater, expanding the scope of the emergency. The fire affected an area of roughly 350 square meters, with preliminary reports suggesting it began during the building’s dome reconstruction. Roughly 50 people were evacuated from nearby spaces as a precaution. Initial investigations pointed to violations of safety regulations during ongoing repair work as a likely contributing factor. The incident prompted a thorough review of safety procedures and building work practices across the venue, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to established guidelines during renovations.
Since that event, performances have been canceled as the theater addresses the consequences of the fire. Theater management has pledged to accommodate audiences who had purchased tickets by offering refunds or the option to reschedule to alternative dates that suit patrons best. The goal remains to minimize disruption for theatergoers while ensuring the safety and continuity of the venue’s programming as repairs and safety assessments continue.
Earlier reports noted that the Ermolova Theater canceled shows at the New Stage due to technical problems, signaling broader concerns about schedule stability within the city’s theater scene. This succession of disruptions has underscored the importance of contingency planning, transparent communication with audiences, and robust safety practices in preserving the vitality of live performance venues.