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From Kutuzovsky Prospekt, the new building of the Pyotr Fomenko Workshop Theatre rises no higher than the ground floor of the neighbouring residential building. The roof follows the line of the slope, so passers-by see little more than a low entrance. From the Moskva River, the same structure looks entirely different: its glass façade, pale stone and open levels descend towards the water. By embedding much of the building underground, the architects created a large theatre.
This building arose from a lack of space. In 1997, the theatre was given the premises of the former Kiev cinema at 30/32 Kutuzovsky Prospekt. Following reconstruction, the building officially opened on 13 January 2000. The company, which had grown out of Pyotr Fomenko's class at GITIS and was formally established in 1993, finally had a permanent home in Moscow. Its two small auditoriums brought the repertoire together under one roof, but they soon ceased to meet the directors' staging needs.
The city decided to build a new stage nearby. Sergei Gnedovsky's architectural studio developed the project in collaboration with the theatre. The design dates from 2004, won the Golden Section award in 2005 and was completed by 2007. The entrance to the old building remained opposite the new one. The company continued working on the same riverside slope, now in two buildings.
A Building Descending to the River
The site could not accommodate a conventional tall theatre building. A residential block stood above it, while below lay the steep bank of the Moskva River. The architects embedded two-thirds of the premises into the slope. As a result, the theatre remained at ground-floor height on the street side while opening out over several levels towards the water. Service floors and an underground car park occupied the lower part of the complex, where the change in elevation was greatest.
The route through the interior follows the downward sweep of the slope. From the compact cloakroom, visitors descend to the foyer of the Main Auditorium, then onwards to the tiers, the amphitheatre and the Small Auditorium. Architect Sergei Gnedovsky explained at the time that the customary ceremonial ascent towards the stage had deliberately been reversed here: the audience moves downwards. The broad staircases make no attempt to conceal the differences in height. They divide the route into landings, each preparing visitors for the auditorium in its own way.
The foyer brings together references to different theatrical eras: balconies, open walkways and a stepped ancient Greek amphitheatre. A winter garden was planned beyond it, while to the right a full-height window opened onto the river and the business district on the opposite bank. Pale stone and white columns stood alongside stage lights and dark technical structures. The architects carried the visual language of the stage into the foyer.
The Main Auditorium seats 450. Its first three rows can be removed to create an orchestra pit or raised to enlarge the stage; when fully opened, the resulting space is more than forty metres long. The Small Auditorium, seating 100–150, is designed as a flexible ‘black box’. Sliding panels alter its boundaries, screen off the panoramic window or allow it to be joined to the amphitheatre. Directors were given several ways to vary the distance between performers and audience.
The new building has a total floor area of 10,600 square metres. It houses rehearsal rooms, dressing rooms, administrative offices, workshops and technical departments. The café and the newly established theatre museum form part of the public route, while production facilities occupy the lower floors. The building was shaped around the movement of people and scenery: a low entrance, a descent, widening landings, the river beyond the glass and the concentrated space of the stage.
The New Home's First Playbill
On 5 January 2008, the Main Stage hosted the première of Without a Dowry. The production and direction were credited to Pyotr Fomenko, with Valyus Tertelis as the production's director, Vladimir Maximov as set designer and Maria Danilova as costume designer. Vladislav Frolov designed the lighting, while Marina Raku oversaw the music. The date appears both in the production's official archive and in television reports on the building's opening.
For the housewarming, they chose a play with none of the lightness of a celebration. In Ostrovsky's drama, love, pride and calculation converge around Larisa Ogudalova, while money determines the value of words and promises. Larisa was played by Polina Agureyeva, Paratov by Ilya Lyubimov, Karandyshev by Yevgeny Tsyganov, Knurov by Alexei Kolubkov and Kharita Ignatyevna by Natalia Kurdyubova. The new auditorium was filled for the first time not with congratulatory speeches, but with a sombre story whose tragic ending was known in advance.
The official description of the production compares it to an austere etching: muted colours, functional sets and sharp Art Nouveau lines. Flat shadows and the actors' angular poses reinforced the production's graphic quality. Vladimir Maximov's set design did not turn the Main Auditorium's technical capabilities into a spectacle in their own right. The actors remained at the centre, while the lighting accentuated the production's stark visual composition.
The première tested not the drawings, but how the auditorium worked with its audience, actors, scenery and lighting. A contemporary report in Ogonyok explicitly described the January events as two premières: that of the new building and that of Without a Dowry. The audience discovered the building during the performance for which it had been created.
For several years, the company had helped design a space for future productions. The first major event within it was a completed work by Fomenko. Audiences encountered the new home together with the production: they descended the staircases to the auditorium, saw the stage machinery in action and, after the finale, retraced their steps towards the river and the wintry city.
The theatre also retained its old building. The intimate auditoriums of the former cinema continued to host performances, while the new stage accommodated productions requiring different dimensions and technical capabilities. The two buildings, facing one another, formed a single theatrical address. The move neither erased the theatre's former home nor reduced it to a museum relic.
Eight Days Later
On 13 January 2008, the theatre celebrated its fourteenth anniversary and the opening of its new building with a kapustnik, the traditional theatrical revue. The official archive preserves the evening in three parts. The programme featured Pyotr Fomenko, a report on the building's construction and performances by friends of the Workshop Theatre. The company was already speaking about its own home from the stage where Without a Dowry had opened eight days earlier.
The first part featured Tatiana and Sergei Nikitin, Manana Menabde and representatives of the Elena Kamburova Theatre. Yuly Kim appeared in the second part, alongside congratulations from GITIS; the third featured Lyudmila Maksakova, performers from the Studio of Theatre Arts and members of the Fomenko company. The evening combined performances, congratulations and features about the theatre. The kapustnik format left room both for memories of the construction project and for the company's own playful humour.
Eight days separated the première on 5 January from the kapustnik on 13 January. First, the new auditorium welcomed a play and its audience; then the company brought its own story to the stage. The official celebration followed the start of theatrical work. The public already knew the new building as a place of performance.
Beyond the glass lay the river; higher up the slope stood the old building, while Moscow City rose on the opposite bank. The architects incorporated these landmarks into the audience's journey. Descending from Kutuzovsky Prospekt, visitors watched the city's height and scale shift around them. The theatre occupied the boundary between a residential district, the water and the new business centre, while retaining an almost intimate appearance from the street.
The opening unfolded over two evenings. On 5 January, Without a Dowry put the new building's capabilities to the test; on 13 January, friends of the theatre gathered there. The stage was already in use when the building itself became the subject of a celebratory evening. The company entered its new home through a performance, then used it to tell its own story.
We took a tour of Taganka designed for 12-year-old children. It was an excellent programme. We covered a great deal of ground and learnt so much. We discovered the story of Dryanaya Street and discussed the Vladimir Highway, the surrounding monasteries and churches, and the Old Believers. We now know where Korovin was born, where Stanislavsky was born and raised, where the Morozov merchant children lived, and why Arseny Morozov was considered such an outrageous figure in his day. We also discussed Solzhenitsyn, discovered where Stalin Avenue was supposed to be built, saw the bunker, walked to the Russian metochion of the Mount Athos Monastery, and learnt why the Illuzion cinema made Taganka famous. Of course, no tour would have been complete without Vysotsky and Lyubimov. We also touched briefly on Taganka Prison, although naturally we did not go there. All in all, it was an exceptionally rich and informative tour! Our guide Alexander was superb!
Our thanks to our guide Alexander for a magnificent sightseeing tour. Alexander’s love for Moscow and its history, his wide-ranging knowledge, elegant and engaging delivery, and personal charm make the tour not merely interesting and informative, but truly delightful! Thank you, Alexander! Tatiana and Tatiana, St Petersburg
On July 18th, we participated in the "Soul of Moscow" group tour led by Alexander. Kitay-gorod and its surroundings revealed a new side to us, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. Some of us began intensively studying related materials to broaden our horizons. We'll be back, and we highly recommend it! You won't regret it.
Good afternoon, on June 23rd we had a tour called " The Soul of Moscow ," led by Alexander. He's a very pleasant young man. We visited such lovely courtyards and alleys with him that we never even knew existed, and we learned so much. We really enjoyed everything, and we hope to continue our acquaintance. Alexander! Thank you! We had a great time with you, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. See you there!
This isn't my first time with Radius. This time, I took the Moscow metro . The goal was not only to admire the underground palaces but also to learn how to navigate the metro. As a resident of a region without a metro, I was a bit apprehensive and didn't understand how to navigate the metro. Of course, the internet helps, but live communication is much better. Tour guide Yulia handled this task perfectly. The information was accessible and interesting, the presentation was calm, and the communication style was very friendly. Thank you very much for the tour and the practical experience.
Good afternoon! I gave the "Soul of Moscow" tour to some of the capital's guests. We were thrilled to hear our guide, Anton. It was so informative and engaging, and very warm. To say we were absolutely delighted is an understatement. It turned out to be a truly family-friendly excursion. We learned so many interesting facts. The material was presented professionally, all our questions were answered, and we saw so much. It was simply WOW! Thank you so much, Anton, he's the best!!!!! From now on, I'll only come to you, the Radius team. I highly recommend it. I promise we'll see each other again soon on other tours.
Overall, the tour left a positive impression! Thanks to Alexander for the walk through the courtyards and atmospheric spots of Kitay-Gorod; we certainly wouldn't have done it on our own. The tour was comfortable, and the guide spoke confidently and calmly. One thing we personally missed: we would have liked more of the historical part, relating to ancient Moscow and the history of Kitay-Gorod. There were quite a few stories about the Soviet period and the bar scene, but for our group, this wasn't particularly relevant. We think the program could be a little more tailored to the age and interests of the group. It would also have been interesting to add more historical facts, monuments, and details about old Moscow and the area itself. That said, the tour was still interesting, and some places and churches were truly memorable. These aren't really "cons," but rather suggestions for an even more comprehensive program.
Hello! We had a corporate group of 10 people. Our guide was Anton, and we had a tour of Bulgakov. I would like to point out the excellent organization; everything went smoothly. The managers were very accommodating to our changes in the number of participants. The bus was very comfortable. Anton is a super-engaged and motivated guide. He lives this history and is delighted to share his knowledge and create an unforgettable experience. Everything went well. I highly recommend it!
Thank you for a fascinating tour! It gave me so much food for thought to explore! Note: Review of the "Zamoskvorechye" tour with guide Maria.
I'd like to express my gratitude on behalf of our team! Thank you for keeping to our scheduled schedule despite our lack of organization. Our colleagues appreciated your preparation for the tour! It was informative. Note: Review of the "Modern Residential Complexes, Factory Past, and Avant-Garde" tour of the ZILART residential complex with guide Maria. Maria prepared and conducted a customized tour for employees of the Samolet Group of Companies development company.
Thank you! You have great talent. Good luck! ☺️ You're a wonderful guide! Thank you again! Note: This is a review of the corporate tour "The Heart of the Capital" with guide Maria.
Thank you for a wonderful day today!!)) Note: review of the excursion "The Soul of Moscow" with guide Maria
On behalf of the whole family, I want to thank you for a very informative and interesting tour! Note: This is a review of the "Palace Dungeons" tour with guide Maria.
Good afternoon! I'd like to express my gratitude and that of my guide for organizing the tour! We were very pleased. We'd like to do it again in October, but on a different route — ZIL. Note: This refers to the tour for Samolet Group developers, led by guide Maria.
Thanks to Alexander for the bar tour of Baumanka ! It was fun, exciting, and we discovered so many new places! Awesome! May we reach new heights!
Good afternoon! I was on a tour of Sukharevskaya Square — we went all the way to Tsvetnoy Boulevard. I didn't expect it to be so interesting! For those wondering whether to go — go for it! It truly became one of my most memorable summer memories!
Anastasia, good morning! Thank you and Masha for yesterday! The speakers are happy. The connection through the headphones was often lost, especially at the checkpoint, but that's just our current situation. You could hear if you were standing close, no more than 1.5 meters away. Colleagues have already asked for your contact information. I'd be happy to share it and look forward to another opportunity to work with you. Special thanks to the Director for the Bureau . Note: " Heart of the Capital " tour for participants of the 2025 Moscow Oncology Forum. Guides: Anastasia and Maria.
We'd like to thank Anton and Alexander for leading the tour! It was fascinating to hear how the Krasnaya Presnya district developed and how Prokhorov's influence on our city's development. It was a pleasant immersion into a quiet, previously unexplored area!
Good afternoon, thank you so much, Anastasia. The " Uncle Gilyai " tour was fantastic. Even though we're Muscovites and know a lot about Moscow, the experience was amazing, so much new and interesting happened. We'll definitely be back.
Thank you for the " Heart of Moscow " and " Khamovniki " tours. Anton, a knowledgeable and passionate Moscow guide, gave me the tour. He's a great storyteller, intelligent, well-read, and captivating. You've truly opened up my Moscow to me! I'll definitely be back next summer to explore Moscow with you. I'll recommend your wonderful tour program to all my friends!
Excursions with the Radius travel agency are always a positive experience if you choose them. We planned a tour of Zamoskvorechye on our next visit. We've worked with our guide, Anton, before. We'll definitely recommend him to everyone we know. The tour is informative, not overloaded with dates, and the information is comprehensive yet easy to understand, as it's presented in a light, narrative manner, not like a history textbook, dry and academic. Thank you for this approach. We'll definitely use the Radius agency again on our next visit to Moscow.
Thank you so much for the tour of Zamoskvorechye . Despite the weather, it was very interesting and informative! Note: this refers to the tour with guide Anton.
A huge thank you to Anastasia. We had a fantastic tour of the Patriki district. We learned so much. Anastasia is a true master of her craft. The tour was captivating, not at all boring, lively and interesting. Everyone was delighted. We were full of new impressions. I definitely recommend it. You won't be disappointed!
We explored the Soul of Moscow with my family and Radius on my birthday. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the walk! Anton shared so many interesting facts about the capital and its history, taking us into spiritual depths no one else had even suspected. Most of us were either born or longtime Moscow residents who spent a lot of time walking around. It was educational, heartwarming, and unforgettable. 🙂 Overall, this wasn't my first time walking around Moscow with Anton, and each time was a real adventure!