Moscow Theater to Open Shakespeare Festival in Chicago

Moscow’s Pushkin Theater will embark on an American tour in a week, TASS reports. Russian performers will play Measure for Measure at a festival in Chicago dedicated to the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare. In addition to the Pushkin Theater, troupes from Australia, Belarus, Belgium, China, Germany, India, Mexico, Poland and South Africa will take part in the festival.

The production, directed by famous English stage director Declan Donnellan, premiered in the fall of 2013. Declan Donnellan, known worldwide for his Shakespeare productions, has worked in Russia extensively. He has called the Pushkin Theater one of his favorite theater companies.

Donnellan worked with his regular collaborator, stage director Nick Ormerod, on the production. It stars Alexander Arsentyev, Alexander Feklistov, Andrei Kuzichev, Anna Khalilulina and others.

Measure for Measure is now part of the Pushkin Theater’s repertoire. After being shown to Spanish, French and British audiences, it will come to the United States.

The Shakespeare festival in Chicago will last throughout the year, with almost 900 events planned. The festival’s program includes stage performances, concerts, exhibitions and literary events.