Published on: 2026-10-07
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
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Theatre “Sovremennik”, subordinate to the metropolitan Department of Culture, will hold on October 9, on the 100th anniversary of the birth of Yevgeny Evstigneev, a series of commemorative events dedicated to one of its founders and an outstanding theater and film actor.
Memorial plaque, mural, and evening of remembrance
Yevgeny Yevstigneyev was one of those who founded “Sovremennik” in 1956 — along with Oleg Yefremov, Galina Volchek, Igor Kvasha, Oleg Tabakov, Lilia Tolmacheva, and Viktor Sergachev. It was on the stage of this theater that the actor’s unique artistic language was formed — the famous pause, a special intonation, and absolute inner truth.
The role of the King in the play “The Naked King” brought Evgeny Evstigneev widespread fame. After that, there were dozens of other theater and film roles, in each of which the actor was unmistakably new and at the same time close to the audience.
The events will begin with the unveiling of a memorial plaque on the building located at 17 Nikitsky Boulevard. Evgeny Evstigneev lived there. Then, on Chistoprudny Boulevard next to the Sovremennik Theatre, a mural will be unveiled, created jointly with Nizhny Novgorod — the artist’s hometown. It was done by the art group Zukclub — artists Sergey Ovseikin and Ivan Astro. The project was implemented together with the association “Nizhny Novgorod Community” with the support of the Government of the Nizhny Novgorod Region.
There will also be an anniversary evening, which will be an attempt to get closer to the mystery of the actor’s talent. Memories of friends, colleagues, and partners of Yevgeny Yevstigneyev will be heard from the stage. Actors of the “Sovremennik” theatre will talk about a man who was called a genius and who remains a part of the theatre decades later.
From plays to tours at the ‘Sovremennik’
“Sovremennik” opened the new season on October 1. On October 17, the main stage of the theater will present a performance to the audience “The Miracle of Saint Anthony”. The audience is in for a farce about a miracle intervening in the usual course of life. In the house where an old lady passed away, her relatives have already divided the inheritance and are ready to bid farewell to the deceased. But suddenly Saint Anthony appears, whose intervention turns everything upside down: it saves some, punishes others, and gives some a chance to look at themselves and life differently.
The play is performed in the traditions of European grotesque comedy with musical accompaniment and vivid visual imagery. The cast includes Evgeny Kosyrev (Antonius), Elena Millioti (Virginia), Ilya Drevnov (Gustav), Maxim Razuvaev (Achilles), and others.
In addition, the Sovremennik Theatre invites everyone interested to an overview tour. Its participants will learn the history of the building at Chistye Prudy, where the Coliseum cinema used to be located, get acquainted with the cultural heritage of one of the most atmospheric districts of the capital, and see the museum space of the theater. During the tour, visitors will be told about the films that were shown here over the years, and the celebrities whose names are associated with this place, including Sergei Eisenstein and Maxim Gorky. Guests will also be able to see a fragment of the White City’s wall—a unique historical artifact. The program will conclude with tea served in the theater buffet. The tour lasts two hours and 30 minutes. The next events will take place on October 10 and 17.
And on October 18, the theater will present a play “Two on the swings” — a production by Galina Volchek based on the play by William Gibson. It is the story of Jerry and Gittel — two lonely people who accidentally meet in the vast indifferent New York. He is a lawyer from Nebraska, going through a divorce, and she is an eccentric dancer, full of life energy but with a broken soul. Their meeting becomes an emotional rollercoaster — from hope to despair, from intimacy to alienation. The play features Yuri Chursin (Jerry Ryne) and Tatyana Babenkova (Gittel Moska).
The Mayor of Moscow congratulated the Sovremennik Theatre on its 70th anniversary“Sovremennik” unveiled a commemorative plaque in honor of one of its founders — Oleg Tabakov
The program of events in city theaters contributes to the implementation of the goals and objectives of the national project in Moscow “Family”. More about Russia’s national projects and the capital’s contribution can be found at special page.
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On the project page “Culture, Heritage, and Leisure Industry” one can learn about how architectural monuments are preserved in the capital.
Moscow is the center of the country’s cultural life and ranks among the leading megacities in terms of the number of museums and exhibition halls. The city has established a film cluster that unites the MosKino film factory on Ryazansky Avenue, the Gorky Film Studio, and the MosKino film park.
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