The latest developments surrounding Russian performer Dmitry Nazarov and his wife Olga Vasilyeva in Dubai have led to a cancellation, according to industry updates reported by EA Daily.
The production titled The Root of Evil was initially slated for March 9, 2024. Reports suggest the show did not achieve the target ticket sales, resulting in an undersold engagement within the planned window.
Earlier in June 2023, the duo expanded the production beyond their home country, bringing it to audiences in Yerevan, Armenia; Tbilisi and Batumi in Georgia; and Antalya in Turkey, broadening the work’s international reach before the Dubai cancellation.
The narrative of The Root of Evil follows two people who are strikingly different yet find themselves suddenly sharing a narrow moment in a world that seems to close in around them. They are compelled to reexamine their differences and discover common ground amid a series of misunderstandings, humor, and surprising tenderness.
The male lead is depicted as a museum employee, while the female lead holds a plumbing trade. Their personalities collide yet charm, oscillating between hedonistic impulses and intellectual curiosity. The story invites audiences to watch as the characters navigate miscommunications, moments of levity, and heartfelt warmth, leading toward a potential miracle along the journey.
Nazarov and Vasilyeva exited the Chekhov Moscow Art Theatre in January 2023. Media outlets reported that the departure stemmed from the actor’s public statements and his stance on the military operation in Ukraine, events that resonated through the theatre world and beyond.
In March of that year, Nazarov discussed Konstantin Khabensky’s decision to remove him from the theatre. He described the move as a test for the artistic leadership and noted that initial plans aimed to limit his participation in productions for a period, rather than a permanent exit.
In related theatre industry news, Sergei Zhukov weighed in on the casting outcomes for the project known as New Star Factory, highlighting the ongoing evolution of contemporary theatre and the development of new talent.