On August 26, the Pushkin Theater will begin its season by taking the stage at the Vakhtangov Theater for the first time this season. According to the theater’s press service, Pushkin performers will present five productions on Vakhtangov’s stage, marking an ambitious collaboration between two storied Moscow institutions. The opening slate mixes contemporary drama with classic and modern takes, delivering a varied program designed to engage a broad audience.
The season kicks off with Reserve, a stage adaptation of Sergei Dovlatov’s novel, led by Vladimir Zherebtsov. The production promises sharp dialogue, a wry, urban sensibility, and a look at identity and memory through Dovlatov’s distinctive voice. In another bold pairing, Vakhtangov will stage Shakespeare in Love, drawn from Tom Stoppard’s play about the young William Shakespeare facing creative doubt. Kirill Chernyshenko guides the onstage journey as Shakespeare, wrestling with inspiration and the pressures of a young writer amid a blossoming romance with Viola, played by Elizaveta Kononova. The piece explores how art and love intertwine in a performer’s life, with the theater as a central character in the narrative.
The season’s calendar also features the romantic comedy False Confessions, featuring Victoria Isakova in a leading role. The production continues the Pushkin season program with lighthearted tension, wit, and a playful examination of truth and perception in relationships. On September 1, the Pushkin Theater presents Madame Rubinstein, a dramatic portrait led by Vera Alentova. The heroine’s sharp tongue and relentless pursuit of happiness illuminate loneliness, ambition, and the price of fame in a world that never stops moving.
Rounding out the Pushkin block is the premiere of Zoyka’s Apartment, featuring Alexandra Ursulyak in the lead. A century ago, Mikhail Bulgakov wrote this work for Vakhtangov’s theater company, and the premiere promises live music, stylish dance, and gorgeous costumes that capture the bohemian atmosphere of the era. Yet beneath the surface glamour lies a poignant examination of choices, dreams, and the harsh realities that people confront when they reach pivotal moments in life. The theater notes describe the experience as a vivid blend of elegance and dramatic substance, inviting audiences to witness a story that resonates across generations.
Earlier in the season, Moscow’s drama scene saw The Wedding of Figaro close the current line-up at the MDT, as repairs moved forward. This production, a favorite of audiences for its light-hearted humor and intricate ensemble work, marked the end of a chapter for the venue while crews prepared for the next cycle of performances. In a broader festival context, former stars from the Mariinsky and Bolshoi Theaters shared the stage at the Peterhof Ceremonial Performances, highlighting a tradition of high-caliber talent intersecting with regional cultural celebrations. These events underscore Moscow’s continuing commitment to presenting world-class theater and nurturing artistic exchange among leading ensembles.
Across these programs, audiences can expect a season characterized by bold directorial choices, strong performances, and a variety of theatrical moods. The Pushkin Theater’s collaboration with Vakhtangov expands the city’s cultural dialogue, weaving together contemporary perspectives with enduring classics. Each production promises to offer a distinct emotional journey, from the mischievous energy of romantic farce to the reflective depth of biographical drama and the shimmering vibrancy of musical accompaniment. The theater’s public communications emphasize the importance of live performance as a communal experience, where actors, musicians, designers, and audiences converge to create moments that linger long after the curtain falls. This season’s lineup is presented as a curated arc—one that invites both devoted theatergoers and newcomers to discover the ways in which storytelling evolves while staying rooted in human experience. (Source: Pushkin Theater press service)