Russia winters in London

Published 17 December 2010

Russian theatre company Sovremennik is to make its UK debut when it presents three productions at the Noël Coward theatre from 21 to 29 January.

The Moscow-based company, led by Artistic Director Galina Volcheck, will stage two plays by Russian master Chekhov – Three Sisters and The Cherry Orchard – along with Into The Whirlwind, the dramatised memoir of Russian journalist Eugenia Ginzburg, who was imprisoned in the Gulag.

Sovremennik is one of Russia’s leading theatre companies, formed by graduates of the Studio School of Moscow Art who wanted to create theatre that would not be dictated by the State. Among the company’s 50 members are leading actors Marina Neyolova and Igor Kvasha.

The company’s short London season has been made possible due to financial support from Chelsea football club owner Roman Abramovich.

Currently playing at the Noël Coward theatre is comic thriller Deathtrap, starring Simon Russell Beale. Sovremennik’s stay will be followed by the musical Million Dollar Quartet, which opens at the venue on 8 February.

CB

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