The Moscow Taganka Theater opens a new chapter with the premiere of Alone, staged on July 1 and 2. The production, brought to life under the direction of Nikita Kobelev, adapts the dramatic universe created by playwright Don Nigro, known for his stark, intimate storytelling. Set inside the theater’s storied walls, the performances promise a night of concentrated emotion and poetic confession, centered on three women who tell their stories through monologue. Each voice navigates love, desire, and the tangled threads of human connection, while past traumas, loneliness, and fear color the journeys. Despite the intense format, the show balances gravity with moments of humor and self-irony, letting honesty breathe between lines and stories.
Three leading performers carry the weight of these revelations. Victoria Isakova steps into one of the central roles, bringing her distinctive blend of intensity and vulnerability to a piece that asks much from a performer. Joining her are Irina Starshenbaum and Alexandra Rebenok, who have attracted audiences through their television work and stage presence. Their collaboration on Alone marks an important entry in the Taganka’s ongoing exploration of contemporary dramatic voices, offering viewers a chance to witness a convergence of film and theater talent on a single stage.
The script unfolds through three separate yet interwoven monologues that converge on shared themes. Love and sexuality appear not as easy answers but as questions that linger after a moment of encounter. The storytelling delves into the complexities of relationships, the echoes of past wounds, and the loneliness that can accompany even the most intense connections. The format, while unwavering in its focus on individual perspectives, creates an overarching tapestry of emotional truth—each actress revealing a fragment of a larger human story. The result is a work that invites empathy, introspection, and a renewed curiosity about the resilience and fragility of personal memory.
Starshenbaum has commented on the experience of returning to the stage, describing the production as a rare and meaningful artistic pursuit. She noted that acting in the theater is reserved for moments when a project truly resonates, and when such a moment arises, the process becomes a pleasure—an immersion that feels almost inevitable. She also emphasized the privilege of sharing the stage with two remarkable colleagues, praising Isakova and Rebenok for their talent and presence. The collaboration, she suggested, elevates the performance and deepens the audience’s connection to the material. In these remarks, one can sense the anticipation surrounding Alone as it moves from rehearsal rooms to a final, public reception on the Taganka stage.