In a later interview, director Alexander Lazarev discussed the sharp turn the theater tour in Israel took. He attributed the cancellation to an aggressive contingent of protesters who, in his view, escalated hostility without ever understanding the essence of the performance. This piece is described as a quiet mediation on peace, neighborliness, and love, yet a sudden surge of opposition overwhelmed the stage door and the tour schedule. Lazarev noted that the theater management chose to pull back from the trip amid threats and a climate of fear, even as he hesitated to call the decision definitive. [Source: kp.ru]
From Lazarev’s perspective, Lenkom faced a dilemma: there was potential to proceed to Israel despite mounting pressure, but the risk of clashes with vocal opponents made the risk to people on tour unacceptable. Preserving the safety of the performers and crew took precedence over continuing with the program, even if some believed the show should go on as planned. The controversy centered on preserving Mark Zakharov’s strongest work, which staff felt could be tarnished by street-level conflict. [Source: kp.ru]
There was also criticism aimed at Bely, a former Lenkom colleague who left Russia and became a focal point of the controversy. Lazarev described him as a catalyst for the upheaval, noting that he had support from others who shared a similar, perhaps reckless, stance. The director suggested that the actor’s actions sprang from jealousy and remorse rather than a principled stand about the art itself. [Source: kp.ru]
According to Lazarev, Bely had been enjoying steady work, a receptive audience, loyal fans, and reliable earnings. The implication was that, without the platform of Lenkom and the Israeli stage, the actor’s professional trajectory might not recover. The director summed up the sentiment by suggesting that Bely’s career could be considered effectively interrupted. The decision to delay the tour was framed as a precaution to protect the broader troupe and audience. [Source: kp.ru]
The Lenkom ensemble had planned a run at the Habim Theater in Israel, a partnership that would have broadened the company’s international footprint. Before the first performance could take the stage, Bely publicly denounced the project, labelling it as inappropriate. The tour’s producer then faced threats, and Mark Warsaw, the theater director, faced a stark choice: press on at the risk of public safety or postpone to safeguard the people involved. The latter course was chosen to ensure no lives were placed in danger. [Source: kp.ru]
Meanwhile, a separate public expression from Sergey Lazarev, the former star of pop music, indicated a shift away from acting commitments tied to Figaro’s Wedding. The statement underscored a broader mood in the arts community about how protests intersect with artistic endeavors and career choices in tumultuous times. [Source: kp.ru]