The Mariinsky II: a glimpse inside

Natalia Tsapko, manager of the theatre’s Artistic and Technical Complex:

"It is important for the specialists of the Mariinsky Theatre’s Artistic and Production Department that the new theatre has the very latest stage machinery and that we have taken onboard the very best from the world’s recently built or renovated theatres, among them the Royal Opera House (Covent Garden), the Royal Opera House in Copenhagen and Paris’ Théâtre du Châtelet. I can safely say that when designing the new theatre’s stage complex some unique tasks were resolved. The stage space is split into zones, each of which fulfils a certain function. The new theatre has its main stage, a backstage area, side pockets, a rehearsal stage and installation and loading and unloading bays. This means that sets for at least four productions can be in the stage space, all at the same time: the main stage can be hosting the most complex production in terms of stage design, a full-scale rehearsal can take place on the rehearsal stage, sets for the next production can be assembled in the installation zone and sets can be loaded or unloaded on the cargo bays. Speaking objectively, none of this is currently possible at the historic theatre. The stage complex of the new theatre includes fully automated and computer-operated roll-on/roll-off trailers, storage space for soft and rigid sets, mobile equipment for ballet productions, forty-eight point hoists, four two-level rising and falling zones permitting the speedy change of sets and much more besides. We, as well as other departments, will of course need time to settle into the new theatre and adapt productions in our repertoire to the new stage conditions – basically every production moved from the old theatre to the new one will be like a premiere. The most important thing is that the new theatre will give all of us incomparable ways of dealing with the most demanding artistic tasks, and that is something that will inspire me as a professional".