Bolshoi's reopening delayed

The reopening of Russia's main theatre, the Bolshoi, has been delayed until November 2009 – almost a year behind schedule. More time is needed to stabilise the building.

After the theatre's closure in July 2005 for renovation work on the facade, walls and columns, more than fifteen vertical cracks were discovered.

Other changes include replacing the Soviet hammer-and-sickle coat of arms with the original imperial two-headed eagle.