The open-sky theatre at Kuskovo was in the palace garden.
An earthen wall surrounded irrigation canals. Within was
the theatre itself. There was a wooden stage (with a
central wooden platform) surrounded with barberry hedges.
The stage area had six pairs of stationary flats composed
of spruce tree trellises, which provided excellent acoustics.
At front center was an orchestra pit. Instead of a triumphal
arch as a proscenium, there was a separating pathway that
also served as a bridge over the irrigation channels.
In front of this was where the audience should be located.
The amphitheatre has a loge or box for the presence (the
count of Kuskovo: Sheremetev and his grafinya or countess).
Behind and surrounding the box was the general audience in
the amphitheatre. The amphitheatre was three semicircular
benches for 100 seats. Seating was made comfortable by using
cushions. Behind the amphitheatre was the garden, composed
of a lawn with birch and elm trees, as well as small greenhouses
containing fruit trees. The rear stage area contained a
backdrop, and off to both sides were two make-up rooms where
actors and singers could put on cosmetic makeup, as well as
costumes.
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