About the 2025 Program
The 17th International A.P. Chekhov Theatre Festival will be held in Moscow from May 23 to July 25, 2025. The World Series program consists of 13 performances of various genres from 12 countries: Argentina, Armenia, Bahrain, Brazil, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Colombia, Lebanon, France, and South Africa.
Unexplored facets of theater: great canvases brought to life through dance in a production from China, new interpretations of Russian classics in performances from Brazil and Armenia, sounddrama with elements of martial arts from Kazakhstan, authentic African singing deeply rooted in ancestral beliefs and contemporary choreography from South Africa, a sharp psychological drama from Bahrain, a bold take on Shakespeare from India and Argentina, a philosophical puppet opera from Iran, and the magic of Arabian fairy tales from Lebanon—all this and much more will be seen by audiences at the Chekhov Festival.
The venues will include the State Kremlin Palace, the Moscow Theater for Young Spectators, the A.S. Pushkin Moscow Drama Theater, the School of Dramatic Art Theater, the M.N. Yermolova Moscow Drama Theater, and the State Academic Theater named after V.I. Mossovet, Zaryadye Hall, the Moscow Et Cetera Theater, and the State Academic Bolshoi Theater of Russia (New Stage).
Information on the Moscow, Regional, and Educational programs will be announced later.
On May 23 and 24, the Festival will open at the State Kremlin Palace with a large-scale and stunningly beautiful production, "Poetic Dance: Journey of a Legendary Landscape," inspired by the famous painting "Panorama of Rivers and Mountains" by a Chinese artist from the Song Dynasty (10th-13th centuries). This unique 11-meter scroll is a masterpiece of traditional Chinese landscape painting, whose history spans nearly a thousand years. Thanks to refined choreography and complex sets, including a revolving stage, this legendary canvas will literally come to life before the audience's eyes, building a bridge between the past and the present. The Oriental Performing Arts Group spent over a year painstakingly creating this large-scale production, which features over 40 dancers and is, without exaggeration, a cultural treasure of the Celestial Empire.
On May 26, 27, and 28, the Alsawari Theatre (Bahrain) will present a play about the value of human life, "Foundation," at the Moscow Youth Theater. The action unfolds in a room inhabited by characters with diverse cultural and scientific interests. Gradually, the audience begins to understand that all events are seen through the lens of Thomas, a schizophrenic. Ultimately, it becomes clear that the characters are actually prisoners, awaiting their death sentence. The production is based on the events of the Spanish Civil War and the personal experience of the playwright, Antonio Buero Vallejo: his father was executed by firing squad, and he himself subsequently ended up in prison. The play addresses important issues of freedom and human dignity, emphasizing the author's views on the protection of human rights, regardless of ethnicity or religion.
On May 29, 30, and 31, Mandali Tolkies, a company specializing in contemporary stories while remaining true to Indian cultural traditions, will present an unusual version of William Shakespeare's classic comedy "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at the Moscow Theater for Young Spectators. The play, "A Midsummer Night's Dream," explores themes of love and cultural identity against the backdrop of the chaos of middle-class India. Lively folk music, subtle satire, and the use of various Indian dialects lend this production a special charm. A significant event was the announcement of a casting call for those interested in participating in the play, which received over 4,000 applications. 495 people made it to the finals, and only 15 young talents from seven regions of the country, representing almost all of Greater India, took part in this project.
On June 4, 5, 6, and 7, the Moscow Pushkin Drama Theater will present the touching play "Nobody Writes to the Colonel" by renowned Colombian director Jorge Ali Triana, a close friend of Gabriel García Márquez, the Nobel Prize-winning author of the novella of the same name, on which the play is based. The plot follows the colonel's final days, as he waits day after day for a letter regarding his pension as a veteran. But the days pass, and no letter arrives. The situation worsens. Against the oppressive darkness, a single symbol of life literally glows: a live rooster, which plays a key role in the production. For the Moscow performance, the rooster will be found locally and will share a hotel room with the actor. This will help them establish a special bond and create a unique atmosphere, allowing the actor to interact with the bird on a more personal level. A play about the resilience of the human spirit, about the hope that never dies even in the most difficult circumstances, and about the injustice that ordinary people face.
On June 9, 10, and 11, the A.S. Pushkin Moscow Drama Theater will present the play "Money. Passion. Power"—a vibrant interpretation of I.A. Goncharov's classic novel "An Ordinary Story"—by Armenian director Suren Shakhverdyan, director of the K. Stanislavsky State Russian Drama Theater in Yerevan. The play tells the coming-of-age story of a young provincial, Alexander Aduyev, who tries to preserve his ideals but finds himself caught up in a cynical game of greed and power. Bold directorial techniques and a blend of classical and contemporary elements—from frock coats and lace collars to surveillance cameras and social media—create a unique theatrical aesthetic and offer a glimpse into the lives of big-city predators. The performances are organized with the support of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the Republic of Armenia.
On June 13, 14, and 15, the Et Cetera Theatre in Moscow will present the play "Rumi," directed by Behrouz Gharibpour, an Iranian theater director and pioneer of traditional Persian puppet theater. The performance will immerse audiences in the world of Eastern philosophy and reveal a veritable treasure trove of wisdom, recounting the life of Jalaluddin Mowlana Rumi, a 13th-century Sufi poet and mystic. The opera impresses with its expansive sets and large puppets operated by several performers.
On June 18, 19, 20, and 21, the School of Dramatic Art Theatre will present "The Gentle One," based on Fyodor Dostoevsky's fantasy story. This modern interpretation of the classic work explores such important themes as human emotions, social roles, and power. Directors Alejandro González Puche from Colombia and Ma Zheng Hong from China, graduates of the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts (GITIS), together with an international team including actors from Brazil, a lighting designer from Syria, and a dramaturgy consultant from Russia, are creating a unique theatrical experience. The creators of this collaboration demonstrate that people's experiences are similar, regardless of cultural differences. The performance immerses audiences in Dostoevsky's world, where the characters' anxieties, worries, and doubts are intertwined. The performances are organized with the support of the Brazilian Embassy in Moscow and the Guimarães Rosa Institute.
On June 30 and July 1 and 2, the Armazem Theatre Company from Brazil will present a bold and original interpretation of the brilliant novel by Brazilian literary classic Machado de Assis, "The Posthumous Notes of Bras Cubas" (or, in other translations, "Notes from the Other World"). The play's creators transformed the complex psychological realism of the book into a captivating theatrical performance, in which the deceased hero, Bras Cubas, shares his life story with the world, beginning with... the moment of his death. The set design, lighting, and live music combine to create a memorable atmosphere that transports audiences back to the 19th century. Armazem celebrated its 35th anniversary with this landmark production of "Bras Cubas." The performances are organized with the support of the Brazilian Embassy in Moscow and the Guimarães Rosa Institute.
On July 4th and 5th, the Yermolova Moscow Drama Theater will present a major international project: the play "Penelope," a landmark co-production of the Sos Sargsyan Hamazgayin State Theater (Armenia) and the A.P. Chekhov International Theater Festival. The play's author and director is Simon Abkarian, a renowned French actor, director, and playwright of Armenian descent. The play features leading actors from the Hamazgayin Theatre, with the lead role played by the theatre's artistic director, Honored Artist of Armenia, and beloved Russian audience, Narine Grigoryan. Simon Abkarian's "Penelope" is a new take on the story of the wife of Odysseus, King of Ithaca, and mother of Telemachus. In Greek mythology, the name Penelope has always been associated with a strong female character and fidelity. The play focuses on the struggle between two value systems: one emphasizes family, loyalty to one's roots, and a person's right to remain oneself, while the other values only material wealth. The spirit of Anticlea, Odysseus's deceased mother, plays a significant role in the production, insisting that a person must be able to protect their world. The play features minimalist sets, lighting effects, immersive virtual reality, and video projections. The costumes evoke the 1960s. The musical accompaniment includes specially composed soundtracks, as well as Greek, Armenian, and Russian folk songs. In keeping with the classical canon, all the events take place on a single day—Saturday. The characters in "Penelope" defend their truth and await Sunday and spiritual resurrection.
On July 8 and 9, the Alatau Traditional Arts Theater and the StarTDrama Theater Laboratory (Kazakhstan) will present the sounddrama play "Mamluk. Sultan Beibarys" at the Mossovet State Academic Theater. The play tells the story of Sultan Beibarys, a legendary commander from the Kazakh steppes who overcame arduous trials, rising from slave to ruler of Egypt and becoming a symbol of unity for the Mamluks. His reign was based on wisdom and strength, which ensured peace and stability for the country. The play features 85 performers, live music featuring traditional instruments, martial arts demonstrations, and verses reflecting the rich cultural and religious tradition. However, behind the outward glamour, Beibarys harbors inner torment: he feels like an outsider in his role as sultan. In dialogue with the Teacher, he explores profound questions of freedom, power, and morality, recognizing that true strength requires humility and concern for the people. The play not only recounts Beibarys's heroic deeds but also poses important questions about justice and the responsibility of a ruler. The performances are organized with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
On July 10, 11, and 12, the Chekhov Festival's Zaryadye Hall will welcome audiences to an exotic journey into the vibrant world of South African art, deeply rooted in ancestral beliefs. The musical and dance performance "Moya" is a collaboration between iconic figures of the contemporary South African scene—singer Dana Simphiwe and choreographer Gregory Vuyani Makoma. "Moya" explores themes of spirituality, healing, and the human relationship with the world around us. These questions are particularly relevant in light of recent global events. The production invites viewers to pause in the cycle of chaos and reflect on moral ideals and values. The key idea of this musical and choreographic performance is that the external reflects the internal.
On July 15, 16, 17, and 18, the Yermolova Moscow Drama Theater will present "Measure for Measure (It's Your Fault)"—a bold take on one of William Shakespeare's most controversial works. Director Gabriel Chame Buendía immerses audiences in a world where the boundaries between truth and illusion blur, and humor becomes a tool for exploring profound philosophical and political themes. The action unfolds in corrupt Vienna, where laws are broken and power falls into the hands of those who are incapable of following established rules. The performance explores themes of guilt, justice, and moral ambiguity, inviting audiences to reflect on the nature of human existence and the fragility of life. Through the prism of clowning and witty moments of playfulness, Chame reveals a world in which everyone is forced to choose between moral principles and survival. The production does not strive for realism, but rather invites the audience into a special space where theater becomes an arena for intellectual and emotional discovery.
On July 23, 24, and 25, the program will conclude with the ballet "One Thousand and One Nights," based on Arabian fairy tales, staged by choreographers Ivan Caracalla and Alissar Caracalla, on the New Stage of the State Academic Bolshoi Theater of Russia. This trilogy, combining music and ballet, will be presented by the Caracalla Dance Theater (Lebanon)—one of the most renowned and largest dance theaters in the Middle East, founded in 1968 and enjoying international acclaim. The first act will feature the famous music from Rimsky-Korsakov's symphonic suite "Scheherazade," immersing the audience in the world of the mysterious East, where passions rage at the court of the majestic King Shahryar. The second act begins in a bazaar, where stories from "One Thousand and One Nights" come to life to the reimagined music of Ravel's "Bolero," featuring instruments such as the sitar and Persian tar. The third part of the performance explores the heritage and traditions of the East, transporting the audience to the time of caravanserais—unique caravan stops where travelers would come to rest after a long journey and share their adventures, stories, and songs.
The A.P. Chekhov International Theatre Festival is supported by the Government of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation.
The Festival's General Partner is Channel One.
Official Partners: International Confederation of Theatre Unions, Regional Public Foundation for Support of the A.P. Chekhov International Theatre Festival.
The Festival is supported by the embassies of foreign countries whose theaters participate in the program, as well as cultural centers and organizations in other countries.