The Kamal Theater will lose Fosse but will gain Shakespeare.

      The play by the Norwegian playwright will leave the repertoire in December: rights holders have prohibited it

      Bikchantaev has three plays planned for the season. Photo: Robert Salimov

      After the vacation, the Kamal Theater opens its 121st season. The program includes productions by new directors and authors, as well as farewell performances of the play "Once on a Summer Day," which has been on stage for 12 years. In the spring, Kazan will once again host Colombian director Alejandro Gonzalez Puché. However, the artistic director of the theater, Ilgiz Zainiev, has not yet revealed his creative plans.

      Three weddings, one demobilized, four farewell performances

      The size of the new Kamal Theater troupe allows for a full house in the stalls and amphitheater during performances. Over the summer, the actors not only rested but also experienced significant personal events, such as three weddings. Thus, a theatrical family was formed — young actors Elza Muratkhuzina and Samat Khabirov tied the knot. Actor Irkhan Gabdullin and sound engineer Ilnar Kulmametov also found spouses. Niyaz Turlov returned to the theater — he had left for military service immediately after being hired. Audiences could see him in the play "A Thousand and One Nights." Meanwhile, the theater underwent some minor repairs — some were covered by warranty ("We realized that we needed an update here," Zainiev explained), while others were damaged during use.

      The season opens today, August 7, — with farewells: for the last time at Kamal, "The Rooster Flew onto the Fence" / "Әтәч менгән читәнгә" (12+) will be shown, followed by "Fading Stars" / "Угасшие звезды" (12+), "Rashä" / "Марево" (16+), and "Unsent Letters" / "Неотосланные письма" (16+). These are not only performances for the audience but also recordings for the TNV television channel.

      New authors, new directors — and Bikchantaev

      The first premiere will be on September 19 — poet Yoldyz Minnullina will appear as a playwright at Kamal with a story about the life of poet Khadi Takhtash. The title refers to one of the dramatic experiences of the hero himself — "Takhtash. Lost Beauty" / "Такташ. Утерянная красота" (16+). The play is directed by Liliya Akhmetzyanova.

      For the first time, Iskander Nurizyanov, known for "Theater on Bulak" and "Constellation," will work as a director in this theater. He proposed to stage an adaptation of the novella "Three of Your Names" by Dina Sabitova, a native of Kazan living in Costa Rica.

      — This is for teenagers, — Zainiev explained. — There are very few works for this audience in the theater. We entrusted Iskander with the difficult task of attracting them to the theater.

      In addition, two GITIS graduates are currently selecting works. Ilyas Girfanov from Tyumen, a student of Zhenovach, staged a production in the Ryazan Youth Theater this year. Ernest Matorkin from Chelny (Kudryashov's workshop) attracted media attention with his production Tribute LP while still studying.

      Farid Bikchantaev has extensive plans for the season. Firstly, he is taking on "Borhan's House" / "Дом Бургана" by Ilgiz Zainiev — a story close to ancient Greek tragedy, which has already been staged by Liliya Akhmetova in Buinsk and Nizhnekamsk.

      Secondly, he chose one of the works created during the "New Tatar Play" laboratory. This is a drama by Rail Safin titled "Küpär" / "Мост": the story begins with one of the village residents receiving a pension, although she has been dead for many years. The director reported that the author has already made changes to the text, but they are minor.

      Iskander Nurizyanov. Photo: Robert Salimov

      Fosse is taken away from Tatarstan

      Thirdly, Bikchantaev plans to return one of the diploma performances of his students — a premiere of Shakespeare's play "The Taming of the Shrew" in a translation by poet Zulfat is expected in the Eastern Hall.

      — If you remember, we did it as a diploma work in that building, in the small hall, — the director recounted. — I don’t want to lose it; the translation is good, and almost all those actors are busy in the troupe. It’s a pity that it was shown only once then. We have already rehearsed a couple of times in the Eastern Hall. Moreover, we will soon lose one translated work — "Once on a Summer Day" by Fosse. We are performing it until December. After that, our license will be suspended. We were notified by the foreign company responsible for this work: they no longer want to cooperate with Russian theaters. I am not making excuses; I believe that foreign works should be performed in the Tatar theater.

      Yos Fosse ran for 12 years; his play about the husband of the main character, who left and disappeared, was one of Bikchantaev's favorite projects. The performance was intentionally shown late at night, with a rehearsal before each show, as the text is written in rhythmic prose. It was nominated for the "Golden Mask" four times. Ilgiz Zainiev has had a haircut. Photo: Robert Salimov

      In addition, in March, Kazan will welcome the main director's classmate from GITIS, Colombian Alejandro Gonzalez Puché, who previously staged "Life is a Dream" by Pedro Calderón at Kamal.

      — We spoke on the phone yesterday, — Bikchantaev said. — I told him that all the artists are reading "Don Quixote," come visit. He asked for them to read the second part. Because, if you remember, Cervantes presents it as a work by an Arab author.

      Artistic director Ilgiz Zainiev, who had a short haircut in August, has not yet announced his plans. "Zainiev will work," he replied to journalists.

      Radif Kashapov

      More news about the event:

      The Kamal Theater will lose Fosse but gain Shakespeare

      The play by the Norwegian playwright will leave the repertoire in December: rights holders have prohibited it

      Bikchantaev has three plays planned for the season. 01:01 07.08.2026 Real Time - Kazan

      "Once on a Summer Day" is leaving the Kamal Theater after 13 years on stage

      The rights holders did not extend the license

      Photo: Dinara Fatykhova

      The Kamal Theater is losing one of its iconic productions. 20:21 06.08.2026 Real Time - Kazan

      Putin met with Mashkov in the Kremlin

      Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting on Wednesday, August 5, with the chairman of the Russian Theater Union (STD) and People's Artist Vladimir Mashkov. 20:15 06.08.2026 GTRK Tatarstan - Kazan

      Kamal Theater, season 121: a performance for the anniversary of Shaimiev and "Don Quixote" by a Colombian

      What will the Kamal Theater show in the new season and which performances will leave

      New authors and plays

      The parade of premieres for the upcoming season will open with the play "Takhtash." 18:27 06.08.2026 IA Tatar-inform - Kazan

      The Kamal Theater is forced to remove a performance based on the play by a Nobel Prize-winning author

      The play "Once on a Summer Day" based on the work of Norwegian playwright and Nobel Prize winner in literature 2023, Jon Fosse, will leave the repertoire of the theater. 17:38 06.08.2026 Business Online - Kazan

      The Kamal Theater is preparing a performance for the anniversary of Mintimer Shaimiev

      For the upcoming 90th anniversary of the first President of the Republic of Tatarstan, State Counselor RT Mintimer Shaimiev, the Kamal Theater is preparing a "theatrical action." 15:28 06.08.2026 IA Tatar-inform - Kazan

      The Kazan Youth Theater will present sketches of three performances based on Tolstoy's works

      The Kazan Youth Theater will present sketches of three performances following the IV Theater Laboratory on August 9. 15:27 06.08.2026 IA Tatar-inform - Kazan

      Theater life in Almetyevsk: three centers of culture and the history of those who live in them

      Who is responsible for leisure?

      Currently, in the oil capital, not counting small theater studios, there are three major centers of culture and spirituality: the drama theater, the street theater "Light Wings," and the citizens' theater "Aulak." 15:04 06.08.2026 Almetyevsk RTV - Almetyevsk

      Jon Fosse's play will leave the repertoire of the Kamal Theater

      The repertoire of the Kamal Theater will lose the play "Once on a Summer Day" based on the work of Nobel laureate Jon Fosse. 14: