What can I expect from 'The Last Fairy Tale' musical?

This captivating production features a unique blend of Eastern-inspired elements and modern twists, with stunning costumes, engaging storyline, and lively music. Expect an immersive theatre experience with a talented cast, impressive sets, and memorable performances.

Is 'The Last Fairy Tale' suitable for all ages?

While the show is generally suitable for all ages, some scenes may be too intense or disturbing for younger viewers. Parental discretion is advised.

Where can I buy tickets for 'The Last Fairy Tale'?

Tickets for 'The Last Fairy Tale' can be purchased through the Moscow Youth Theatre's website or at the theatre's box office.

What is the show's running time?

The show's running time is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one intermission.

Can I return or exchange my tickets?

Yes, tickets can be returned or exchanged for a full refund or exchange, subject to the theatre's return and exchange policies.

Is there parking available near the Moscow Youth Theatre?

Yes, there is limited parking available near the theatre, but it's recommended to use public transportation or ride-sharing services to avoid traffic congestion.

Can I take photos or videos during the show?

No, photography and videography are strictly prohibited during the show, to ensure the best possible experience for all audience members.

What is the dress code for the show?

The dress code for the show is smart casual, with no specific requirements or restrictions.

How do I get to the Moscow Youth Theatre?

The Moscow Youth Theatre is easily accessible by public transportation or ride-sharing services. You can also walk or bike to the theatre, depending on your location.

The Last Fairy Tale Musical Review

I'm always on the lookout for unique cultural experiences, and 'The Last Fairy Tale' musical at the Moscow Youth Theatre (MDM) caught my eye. I wanted to see if the buzz around it was justified, given all the online chatter and eye-catching billboards plastered around town.

Tickets for 'The Last Tale' at MDM

What I expected?

The title and promotional materials hinted at an Eastern-inspired tale, which I love. I'm a huge fan of colorful costumes, captivating storylines, and lively music that come with these types of productions, reminiscent of 'A Thousand and One Nights'. So, I was expecting something engaging and immersive.

Did my expectations get met? Absolutely. But let's get into the details.

'The Last Tale' is being staged at the Moscow Youth Theatre (MDM).

The Last Tale

Getting to MDM is relatively easy – it's just a short walk from the Frunzenskaya metro station.

On this particular occasion, we decided to drive to MDM, and parking wasn't a problem at all. January 3rd happened to be a free parking day in Moscow, and we managed to snag a spot nearby. However, we arrived early, and those who came later had to park at the MDM parking lot (300 rubles per hour).

Walking into the building, I was greeted by two cloakrooms and a few cafes. The prices in the cafes were pretty standard for places like this: coffee starts at 350 rubles, pastries and sandwiches at 150 rubles and up. If you order a coffee, they'll actively try to upsell you on adding a shot of cognac – with a smile, no less. And they'll even offer you the choice between 'young' and 'old' cognac.

The foyer's got a decent size, and the huge chandelier on the ceiling really catches the eye.

The Last Fairytale musicalThere's a photo zone dedicated to the musical theme.

The Last Fairytale musicalThe photo zone is paid, and it costs around 1500 rubles. Despite the price, there were plenty of people lining up to take a photo on the magic carpet with the genie's lamp.

The Last Fairytale musicalWhat I really love about the Moscow Youth Theatre is the hall itself.

The Last Fairytale musicalIt's big and well-designed. We've been there multiple times, and I can confidently say that you get a decent view from almost every seat. Almost – because this time we got 'a C'.

When I bought tickets to the theater online, I was really looking for seats in the middle of the hall with a wide aisle in between. It's super convenient when people walk by to their seats and you don't have to stand up or squish your legs to let them pass.

This time, we somehow waited too long to buy tickets and ended up with what was left, which was kind of what we wanted.

It was row 30 and we'd never sat that far back in this theater before. But that's okay, our eyes are still good.

The Last Fairy TaleI adjusted seats 23 and 24. Yeah, it's in the middle of the row, but there was this pretty high partition right in front of us, separating the common folk from the VIPs in the private box in the center of the hall.

Because of that partition, I had to sit up straight the whole time to see the stage clearly. And if I wanted to get a bit more comfortable in my seat, leaning back a bit, the stage would be half-hidden from me.

The Last Fairy TaleThe partition didn't bother my husband with his height, but we took that into account and won't be getting those seats again. I wouldn't recommend them to you either.

At least the seats in the hall are super comfortable, so sitting in them is a real pleasure (of course, not on other seats).

The show started with a 9-minute delay. Honestly, it's not like we haven't experienced longer delays at concerts before.

About the musical 'The Last Fairy Tale'

The plot is pretty interesting, if you ask me: modern-day Eugenia and Max are celebrating their fifth anniversary, and Eugenia is hoping her boyfriend will finally pop the question. But instead of a ring, Max gives her some random gift, which leads to a bit of a conflict between them.

Things escalate when Max, in a moment of passion, sticks an old lamp into the dishwasher – it's one that Eugenia's friend brought back from Turkey. Of course, this is no ordinary lamp, and it just so happens to be a magical one.

Out comes a genie, ready to grant the couple three wishes. After some haggling with the genie over what they want, the two of them find themselves in a real-life Middle Eastern fairy tale, where their paths start to diverge due to a misunderstanding.

To find each other, they'll have to navigate a ton of obstacles and adventures, meeting all sorts of fantastical characters from the East, like Scheherazade, Aladdin, Ali Baba, and more.

What I liked

First off, the sets and costumes.

The visual aspect of the musical is a real treat for the eyes!

It's incredibly, beautifully done! The sets are mind-blowing, with incredible, dramatic, and grandiose designs. They changed so quickly that we were seamlessly transported from a Moscow apartment to an Eastern fairy tale, complete with a sultan's palace, a caravan of camels, and a flying carpet. And that massive screen just immersed us in a colorful, magical world.

The lighting design is simply breathtaking – I've never seen so many lights in any musical before. It was pure magic!

Musical 'The Last Tale'I've got to give a special shoutout to the camel caravan – it was a real showstopper! It made its grand entrance in the audience, then continued its journey onto the stage.

The costumes for the characters were absolutely stunning! Bright, shiny, and eye-catching – I was blinded by the glare! And the genie's hat was so radiant, it lit up the entire auditorium.

Musical 'The Last Tale'I was really impressed by the genie's appearance from the lamp – it was both intriguing and a little bit magical.

I have to ask, though, how the creators managed to come up with the flying carpet – it's a real head-scratcher!

It looks like it's hovering above a solid surface, but at the same time, it's moving and unfolding like it's being blown by the wind. It's honestly something incredible.

Musical 'The Last Tale'Here's what MDM had to say about it online:

The carpet was designed by Belgian engineers – it's a real game-changer for the theater world. Nothing like it exists in any Broadway production

Choreography

While we didn't see any traditional Middle Eastern dance, the choreography was still pretty good. The belly dancing, ballet, and other styles were all well-executed, visually appealing, and entertaining.

One thing that really stood out to me was the perfect synchrony between the dancers and the soloists – it was like a beautiful harmony throughout the entire performance.

The Last Fairytale musicalThe musical accompaniment

The music in this musical was just as impressive as the visuals. It's a beautiful, romantic soundtrack with a mix of different styles – you've got eastern influences, modern sounds, and even a bit of rock. And the best part? It's all live music! The sound quality was top-notch, and I didn't notice any technical issues or hiccups throughout the entire performance.

I was particularly impressed by how seamlessly the hit song Şıkıdım by Tarkan was incorporated into the story. The dancers in the harem performed a beautiful routine to it, and it got a great reaction from the audience.

I also want to give a shoutout to the amazing diction of all the actors – both the leads and the supporting cast. It's always a pleasure to watch.

A bit about the actors

The Last Fairytale musicalI was happy with the cast, although the lead actress, Zhena, was a bit of a letdown. She seemed a bit... flat, and her co-star looked a bit older.

The Last Fairytale musicalOn the other hand, I was blown away by the jinn, played by Artem Yakovlev – he's a fantastic actor who brought a lot of energy and humor to the role.

I have to say, the real showstopper for me was Shahrazada, played by Julia Churakova. She's got the whole exotic beauty thing down.

The Last StoryAnd let me tell you, her voice is just stunning! I thought her singing parts were some of the best in the show. Add to that her incredible dance moves, and it's a real treat.

Sultan, played by Sergei Li, was also great, especially in his duet with Shahrazada.

The jazz band of eunuchs really got the crowd going – it was a real showstopper!

The rest of the cast and actors kind of blended together for me.

The Last StoryWhat didn't I like?

The only thing that didn't quite work for me was the monologue by the main character, Jen, where she addresses the female part of the audience, saying something like

you should always divide what men say by two, and if it's about sex, by ten

And then she goes on to call all the men liars and impotents from the stage, and asks the women in the audience if they agree with her.

I have to admit, the audience's reaction was pretty hilarious, and I even felt a little smug that this show had flown under the radar. To be honest, I didn't get the punchline either!

And then there's the humor about the eunuchs, who have 'nothing to lose.'

I'm not exactly a prude, but I think that kind of humor is definitely more suited to an 18+ crowd. The show's age rating was listed as 12+, and there were kids in the audience, so just something to keep in mind if you're sensitive to that sort of thing.

***

The show is a two-act affair, with a total runtime of three hours.

There's a 30-minute intermission between the two acts. At first, I thought that was a bit excessive, but we ended up spending a lot of time waiting to exit the theater with the crowd, and then standing in line for the café. So, it all worked out in the end – we just had time to grab a coffee before the first bell rang, signaling the start of the second act.

Also worth noting is that photo and video recording are strictly prohibited in the theater. I did notice that if someone tried to sneak a shot, they'd be promptly shooed away by a laser pointer. All my photos were taken during the curtain call, when photography is allowed.

One other pet peeve of mine is when the crowd rushes to the coat check after the show, like they're going to be left standing there in the cold if they don't hurry. Unfortunately, this show was no exception. But that's not really relevant to the show itself – just a general observation...

My thoughts

For me, 'The Last Tale' is a real hit – it's colorful, beautiful, and utterly captivating.

I was really impressed with the setup – I couldn't find anything to complain about. And honestly, I didn't even want to, because everything just clicked with me.

When I visited, it was sold out, and even at other times, tickets were flying off the shelves like hotcakes. And I think it's well-deserved, if you ask me.

I'm definitely recommending it!