Theater Stars, Departures, and Public Reflections

Actor Dmitry Nazarov posted a poem on social networks addressing his departure from the Chekhov Moscow Art Theater. In the verse, the star of the TV series Kitchen playfuly speculated that Ivan Okhlobystin might take his place on stage and in film, while Vladimir Mashkov could step in for Leah Akhedzhakova. Nazarov joked about reshuffling faces, removing traitors, and clearing mediocrity, imagining a scenario where his own replacement would be Okhlobystin and Akhedzhakova would be succeeded by the acclaimed Mashkov. The lines circulated amid discussions about leadership and talent in Russian theater, and they were interpreted as a tongue-in-cheek forecast rather than a literal statement. The post appeared at a time when the artist was reflecting on his professional path and the institutions with which he had long worked.