Bolshoi screens live ballets on Internet

Moscow's famous Bolshoi Theatre is going digital.

Russian theatre-lovers now have the opportunity to view Bolshoi performances live from the comfort of their own homes on YouTube - instead of making their way to the theatre in central Moscow.

It's entirely free of charge and according to the theatre's deputy general director, watching from home has other advantages as well:

SOUNDBITE Anton Getman, Deputy General Director of Bolshoi Theatre, saying (Russian):

"During the intermission, or the intermissions if we have two of them, the audience in the theatre go to the buffet, they walk around the foyer, but for audiences sitting at the computer or in movie theatres, the camera takes them back stage, and they can see what happens back stage during the intermission. They get the opportunity to listen to interviews with artists, with directors, and to see the inner workings of the theatre that audiences who bought a ticket for the theatre hall can't see."

One of the Bolshoi's lead dancers said he thought the free YouTube streams would not keep people from coming to the theatre itself.

SOUNDBITE Andrei Merkuryev, Bolshoi Theatre Lead Dancer saying (Russian):

"I remember when I was little, during Soviet times, they often showed ballet (on TV). Now, of course, it's begun again - the culture channel shows us opera and ballet shows - but you'd like to see more of it because not everyone can come to the Bolshoi Theatre or to another theatre. Everyone has their own life, their financial capabilities, and today we have the opportunity for people to come to a movie theatre, get on the Internet, and watch without spending practically any money at all."

The Bolshoi aired its first live ballet on YouTube on March 11, 2012.

Mirja Mey, Reuters