Published on: 2026-09-02
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
At the theater “Grandpa Durov’s Corner” — the premiere of the new season. The legendary stage on Durov Street, where animals have been performing alongside humans for 114 years, presented “The Tale of the Golden Fish” based on the work of Alexander Pushkin. The production features more than 10 species of animals, and for some of them this performance was their debut on the big stage.
Tickets for the performance are available in the service “Mosbilet”.
Connection of generations: from the founder to the present day
“Grandfather Durov’s Corner” is not just a theater, but a place where history comes alive. On the second floor of the old mansion are archival footage of Natalia Durova (the successor of the famous dynasty, People’s Artist of the USSR, who led the theater since 1978) and a monument to the founder — Vladimir Durov. He, the famous animal trainer, zoological psychologist, and the first honored circus artist of Russia, opened this theater on January 8, 1912. His method of working with animals, based on patience, affection, and encouragement without punishment, remains the main secret of “the Corner.” This connection of generations is felt from the very first minutes. The Durov dynasty is love and care for animals.
To preserve memories of the theater, photo zones await guests in the lobby: you can take a photo with a fluffy dog or a funny rabbit. And on the stand, the full cast is presented — both the human actors and all the four-legged, feathered, and tailed stars. This is a world where animals are full-fledged performers, and every appearance on stage is the result of enormous work, love, and patience.
“A Road a Century Long”: How the “Grandpa Durov’s Corner” Theater is Built
Every wish of the Old Woman is a new beast on stage
When the curtain rises, the audience is in for a real journey. The directors have turned the classic plot into an engaging game: the old woman makes wishes, and each one materializes in the appearance of new animals. A fairy tale familiar from childhood looks fresh thanks to this technique and keeps the viewer in constant anticipation: who will appear on stage this time?
The performance begins with the dogs’ appearance setting the pace, followed by geese, a ferret, and a black crow who divines using a daisy. The Cameroonian dwarf goats are some of the main stars. Their unusual coloring, reminiscent of cow patterns, catches attention from their first appearance. As press attaché Dayana Alieva explains, this is a domestic breed from West Africa, and they look very endearing.
A raccoon named Osya performs a trick that never fails to delight: he washes a handkerchief. The performer is also known for his love of watermelons. Once during rehearsal, Osya dipped a whole piece into the water to rinse it—and it vanished without a trace. The raccoon looked around so bewildered, trying to figure out where the treat had gone, that even he remembered it. Now, sometimes after finishing washing the handkerchief, Osya amusingly turns to the trainer—as if searching again for that disappeared watermelon. His confused look always brings a smile to the audience.
Debuts and Star Appearances
“The badgers — sisters Kira and Kara — are also involved in the performance. This premiere was their debut: they rehearsed for almost a year and appeared on stage in front of a live audience for the first time,” says Dayana Alieva. Badgers naturally love to twist something — with their paws, nose, their whole body. Trainers took this feature into account when creating the acts: special rotating elements appeared in the decorations so that the animals could show their natural agility. Thus, the props adapt to the animals, not the other way around.
Cats of various breeds and even mixed breeds—those once taken in by trainers—appear on stage. Cocker spaniels, ara parrots, porcupines—dark brown and a white girl named Snow, who waves her paw cheerfully to the audience. And of course, foxes—red and black-burred, which, according to the trainers, is a true star, always ready to perform.
Each character appears on stage at the moment when the Old Woman makes a new wish to the Fish. Someone brings her wealth, someone — nobility, and someone — simply joy and amazement. The classic Pushkin plot turns into a series of bright, lively episodes where the audience can closely observe each animal and try to guess what the Old Woman will wish for next.
Patience, a treat, and a little magic
How is it possible to prepare such a large number of animals for the premiere? Trainer Ekaterina Kolkova spoke about this. The theater knows that in order for an animal to go on stage, it is not enough just to teach commands. You need to understand the character, find the approach, and earn trust. And while the general principle is the same — praise and treats — for each species it works in its own way.
Dogs, for example, are ready to do a lot for their owner’s love and approval. “It’s enough to say ‘good boy,’ pet them, give a piece of treat — and they are happy,” explains Ekaterina. “They live for you, for your praise.” It is the dogs who set the tone for the performance, opening the show with energetic acts.
But cats are not nearly as compliant in training. “Cats are capricious companions. They don’t need our love; they are independent. Therefore, a very delicate and patient approach is needed. They won’t do something just to please—only if they themselves are interested,” shares Ekaterina Kolkova. That’s why in the performance, cats appear in scenes where their natural grace and independence enhance the character.
Ferrets are a separate story. If a ferret doesn’t want to perform a trick, it’s impossible to make it do so. “Only through play, if it’s fun for them. If they don’t want to, they won’t,” laughs the trainer. That’s why rehearsals with ferrets are always a dialogue where the performer has a voice.
A vivid example of such dialogue happened during the rehearsals of “The Fairy Tale.” In the scene with the little goats, a trick was planned: the kid was supposed to walk over a barrel. But during one run-through, the animal suddenly decided not to walk, but to roll the barrel together with its partner. “He simply did it his own way, and it turned out more spectacular than we had imagined,” says Ekaterina. “We watched it and decided to keep this version.” This is how one of the most striking numbers of the play was born, where two kids work in tandem: one rolls the barrel, the other walks with him. “We also take our cue from the animals,” emphasizes the trainer. “If the animal suggests something on its own and it works, we keep it. This is the main secret: not to force, but to be sensitive.”
Over the years, Ekaterina has come to realize that to achieve results, you first need to earn trust. “Sometimes an animal doesn’t accept you for a long time, it looks at you suspiciously. But when you come day after day, feed, pet, and talk to it — it gradually understands: the person is not dangerous, he is a friend. And that’s when the real work begins.” It is precisely through patience, kindness, and respect that memorable scenes are born.
Timeless truths for all ages
But the main thing in this fairy tale is not only the spectacle, but also the meaning. Vladimir Somov, a drama actor playing the role of the Old Man, says: “Russian fairy tales teach eternal wisdom — kindness, not being greedy, paying attention to loved ones. Today’s children are used to smartphones, so seeing a live fairy tale featuring animals is doubly interesting.” He admits that the premiere is always exciting and the animals are also nervous, sensing the new atmosphere. But when the audience gives energy, it is impossible to play half-heartedly, and that very circus-like, Durov-style, uniquely magical effect of the performance happens.
The audience member leaves the hall with the feeling that they also have a chance to make a wish. Only unlike Pushkin’s heroine, here there is no need to ask anything from the Fish. The performers have already given the audience delight, surprise, tenderness, and a smile. And it seems the Old Woman from the fairy tale would envy such a generous gift.
Tickets for the performance can be purchased through the service “Mosbilet”.
Learn about performances, concerts, exhibitions, and other interesting events on the official “Mosbilet” channels in messengers “Max” and “Telegram”.
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