The ballet The Toy Seller invites audiences into a charming and imaginative world where toys come to life.

Filled with playful choreography, colorful characters and lighthearted storytelling, the production delights with its warmth, humor and theatrical magic. A joyful and enchanting performance, perfect for audiences of all ages.

Libretto by Viktor Dobrosotsky, based on his novel of the same name
Choreographer–Director: People’s Artist of the Russian Federation Andrey Petrov
Conductor: Honored Artist of Russia Sergey Kondrashev
Scenographer: Honored Art Worker of Russia, Moscow Prize laureate Grigory Belov
Costume Designer: Olga Polyanskaya
Choreographer’s Assistants: Honored Artist of Russia Zhanna Bogoroditskaya, Honored Artist of Russia Valery Ryzhov
Orchestral Arrangement: Vladimir Kachesov

A Christmas fairy tale or a philosophical parable? A story about the nature of human happiness or a tale of selfless love? Can all of this be brought together in a ballet for the whole family?

Without a doubt — yes.

The profound text of Viktor Dobrosotsky, the evocative music of Alexey Shelygin, and the soaring language of choreography intertwine to create a remarkable story about a French toy seller who discovers happiness and the meaning of life in the land of his ancestors — Russia. A contemporary ballet destined to become a new symbol of New Year’s magic. Yes, miracles truly do happen.

The adventures of Nicolas Bersky — a descendant of an ancient Russian noble family, living in Paris with his mother and working in a toy shop — captivate anyone drawn to the mysteries of the past. His journey leads him to distant Russia in search of his great-grandfather’s hidden treasure. An abandoned estate, a series of trials and riddles, secrets of the past, and, of course, a radiant, all-conquering love — all are woven into this enchanting tale of the toy seller.

Translating Viktor Dobrosotsky’s novel The Toy Seller into the language of choreography is no simple task — yet an endlessly fascinating one. In approaching this production, and mindful of its philosophical depth, I focused on the central narrative threads. At its heart lies a love story unfolding in the present, while the figure of the Bersky ancestors forms a bridge between the past and the future of the characters.

The Toy Seller belongs to a rare category of ballets that reflect contemporary life. Its characters live in Paris and St. Petersburg, work as shop assistants and tour guides, travel on Aeroflot planes — and yet, during the magical days of Christmas, from December 25 to January 7, they find themselves transported into a wondrous world of festive enchantment.

Andrey Petrov, People’s Artist of Russia, Artistic Director and Chief Ballet Master of the Kremlin Ballet

Where is the boundary between imagination and reality? Are we, perhaps, all like toys in the hands of fate? Light in tone yet profound in meaning, this ballet captivates both adults and young audiences alike, revealing the importance of family values, the memory of ancestors, and the invisible threads that bind generations together. For love and goodness to prevail, the heroes must come to understand much.

The Toy Seller is a unique phenomenon in contemporary choreography — a true synthesis of the finest traditions of Russian classical ballet, the rare melodic beauty of modern music, and a compelling contemporary сюжет. It offers a deeply moving sense of harmony and joy, inviting the audience to touch the pure, luminous spirit of Christmas — a feeling that gently очищает the soul from the burdens of everyday life.