In a candid conversation with People’s Artist of Russia Oleg Basilashvili, the veteran actor voiced his support for Leah Akhedzhakova, who was abruptly removed from her longtime role at the Sovremennik Theatre. Basilashvili is widely respected for his decades of work on stage and screen, and his strong stance drew attention from colleagues and critics alike as the arts community watched with concern about the fate of a cherished stage project.
He insisted that the decision to cancel the production of The Gin Game, a show he believed to be of high quality, was a misstep with consequences beyond the immediate stage. The play, he argued, does not engage with political issues in any meaningful way; it is a character-driven work about memory, risk, and human frailty. Basilashvili added that Liya Akhedzhakova’s involvement in the project should be considered separately from any unrelated controversies, and he expressed willingness to lend his name to a letter in defense of the actress should the need arise. The actor stressed that standing up for artists who face unjust treatment is an ethical obligation for those who occupy a community of peers within the theatre world, especially when the creative process is at stake.
From his perspective, the question is not about opinions or politics but about fairness and the rule of law. Basilashvili remarked that depriving a talented, seasoned performer of her job in a respected company runs counter to principles many artists hold dear, and he pointed to the constitutional protections that help guarantee the freedom to pursue one’s vocation. He noted that Akhedzhakova’s career already spans decades of dedication, and losing a single project should not define her professional legacy or diminish the breadth of her contributions to Russian theatre.
The Sovremennik Theatre subsequently announced that The Gin Game would be withdrawn from its repertoire, a decision that deeply affected the cast, crew, and supporters of the production. The news reached Basilashvili as a jolt, and he admitted that it brought him to tears. He described the moment as a painful reminder of how quickly creative plans can be upended, and he urged a careful, measured approach to handling disagreements that respects the livelihood of actors and the integrity of the theatre. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about artistic freedom, the responsibilities of theatre leadership, and the protective role that seasoned practitioners should play when a beloved project is at risk. [Source: Sovremennik Theatre press materials]