Actress Alexandra Zakharova, daughter of Lenkom’s former artistic director Mark Zakharov, revealed that she had been dismissed from the theatre after a long association. The news arrived amid discussions among staff about the direction of the company and how it handles senior performers, and it left many colleagues surprised by the abrupt change. For more than four decades she had been a regular presence on Lenkom’s stage, contributing to productions that helped define the theatre’s reputation and the shared memory of audiences who filled the seats year after year. Those who know Lenkom well say the event sits at the heart of a larger conversation about leadership, artistic priorities, and the evolving role of a historic company in a modern cultural scene. In a city where Lenkom remains a focal point of theatre life, the development raised questions about how a decades‑old institution can navigate renewal while staying true to its legacy. Zakharova’s account underscores the tension between loyalty to a long‑standing troupe and the pressures of change that many theatres are presently facing.
She described being informed that she should no longer appear on Lenkom’s stage, a decision communicated by the theatre’s management. She understood there would be no more performances featuring her, a conclusion she learned during routine discussions about the company’s upcoming season. The moment felt abrupt to someone who had devoted more than 40 years to Lenkom, and it amplified a sense that the theatre was undergoing a reshaping of its creative life. The incident drew attention to how such moves are communicated and how they affect the morale of performers who have built strong ties with audiences and with the management that governs their work.
Zakharova emphasized that the treatment felt unjust for a performer who had devoted 42 years to Lenkom. She pointed to what she saw as a troubling pattern of familiar faces being pushed off the stage that audiences expect to see in the theatre. Observers described Lenkom as being in a deep and hard‑to‑define crisis, with leadership decisions rippling through productions, schedules, and the day to day experience of both artists and staff. The discussion highlighted broader questions about how heritage institutions manage talent, communicate with their ensembles, and maintain a sense of continuity for the public that keeps coming back to the theatre.
Separately, reports circulated about actor Dmitry Pevtsov, who learned that a photo depicting him had been removed from Lenkom’s wall of honor. The theatre later explained the claim as inappropriate, noting that a portrait of the actor remained displayed in the foyer after his dismissal years earlier. The episode illustrated how decisions about commemoration can evoke public debate over the criteria used to recognize performers who have dedicated many years to the company. For many fans and colleagues, the episode underscored how personal histories intertwine with institutional choices in a storied venue.
Zakharova described Pevtsov as a veteran of a generation shaped by his father, highlighting his versatile performances in major roles such as Treplev, the Prince of Wales, and Figaro. She noted that he served Lenkom for 33 years and became a central figure the audience continued to seek out. Her remarks reflected a sense of loss for a chapter of Lenkom’s life and a recognition that the theatre now faces the task of balancing cherished memories with fresh energy. The dialogue around his career illustrated how identity within a theatre is tied to both individual brilliance and the stories the company has told over time.
Earlier, Yuri Stoyanov recalled how he collaborated with Dobrovolskaya, offering glimpses of a period when Lenkom thrived on strong artistic partnerships. Those memories provide contrast to the present tensions, showing how collaborations can leave lasting impressions long after performances end. The current discussions about Lenkom touch on broader questions about leadership, cultural memory, and how theatres preserve their legacy while adapting to new artistic directions. In the end, audiences weigh the value of continuity against the lure of change as this historic company negotiates its future.