Maly Theatre is the oldest Russian theatre. Its first cast had been created in 1756. "Maly" means "Small" in Russian. The theatre got this name because of its close location to Bolshoi Theatre, that is much bigger in size. Maly Theatre is proud of many great actors starring on its stage from the very beginning and till today, as well as many original stage productions. The Prezident of Russia, Vladimir Putin, signed a document giving Maly Theatre a special status of the most precious cultural heritage sites in Russia, along with Bol´shoi Theatre, and Hermitage.