How the Bolshoi’s Set Designs and Props are Made

The Bolshoi Theater has revealed how it makes and stores its sets. RIA Novosti has put together this photo report from backstage at Russia’s number one theater. The Bolshoi’s storage area is eight stories high and covers almost 5000 square meters. The set designs are kept in containers, spread across various levels.

When necessary, a special crane can move a container to any point of this enormous hall in under a minute. The set is then put together in the hall, which features an exact replica of the Bolshoi’s historic stage. Here the backdrops are laid out in the right order so as to simplify the set up on stage.

Making sets in the Bolshoi’s painting workshop.

Artists paint pictures, make everyday objects and restore weapons in the prop workshop.

Making sets in the Bolshoi’s painting workshop.

Producing sets and props for the Bolshoi.

Making sets in the Bolshoi’s painting workshop.

Beyond the storage area are the workshops where the sets are built and repaired. Stage one is building wooden and plywood shells. Then the props and the backdrops are painted and taken to the hall, which has an exact replica of the Bolshoi’s historic stage.

Making sets in the Bolshoi’s painting workshop.

Making sets in the Bolshoi’s painting workshop.