The Program of the 4th Pacific International Theatre Festival is announced
The 4th Pacific International Theatre Festival will take place in Vladivostok fr om September 18 to October 11, 2026. The program includes 13 productions across various genres, created by theatre artists fr om 13 countries: Armenia, Belarus, Brazil, China, Colombia, France, India, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Mongolia, Russia and South Africa.
Discover the unexplored facets of world theatre: a hypnotic street performance fr om Mexico; an epic drama with the scale of an ancient myth and the spirit of nomadic culture from Mongolia; a choreographic manifesto rethinking classical tradition and cultural identity from South Africa; a refined avant-garde interpretation of Chekhov from China; a bold international reading of a classic that brings together Brazilian directing and the Russian theatre school; a poignant story of waiting and dignity from Colombia; a dynamic fusion of wushu, dance, and multimedia from Malaysian artists; an ironic drama about the “little man,” combining the Russian psychological school and Peking opera; a Kazakh sound drama about forbidden love and the tragedy of tradition; a mesmerizing dance at the intersection of kathak and contemporary movement; a dramatic parable of fidelity and war inspired by the Odyssey from Armenia; a witty Belarusian puppet production about friendship and growing up; and a concert-performance wh ere Gogol’s satire and Schnittke’s music merge into a powerful expression of laughter through tears – all this and more awaits audiences in Vladivostok this autumn.
Festival venues include the Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre (Main Hall), the Gorky Primorsky Regional Academic Drama Theatre, the Primorsky Regional Youth Drama Theatre, the Primorsky Regional Puppet Theatre, and the Sports Harbor Embankment.
On September 18, 19, and 20 at 5:00 PM, at the Sports Harbor Embankment (preliminary information), the Festival will open with the street procession “LOStheULTRAMAR” by the Mexican company Foco alAire under the direction of Marcela Sánchez Mota and Octavio Zeivy. The performance is rooted in the idea of a collective ritual and explores the nature of the contemporary individual – their vulnerability and desire for unity in a world full of contradictions. The performers appear as a new nomadic tribe, engaging in a live communication with the urban space and the audience. Striking visual imagery – formal suits, bare feet, and industrial aluminum shields instead of headwear – creates a metaphor for the human being in the digital age. The production, awarded Mexico’s National Prize, has been presented at international festivals worldwide. In Vladivostok, the performance will be accompanied by live music performed by musicians of the Primorsky Regional Philharmonic.
On September 19 and 20, at the Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre (Main Hall), the Festival will continue in a theatre space with the large-scale production “The Mongol Khan” by Hero Entertainment, directed by Hero Baatar. Based on the play “The State Without a Seal” by the classic of Mongolian literature Bavuugiin Lkhagvasuren, the production tells the epic story of Khan Archug, whose devotion to the state and readiness for self-sacrifice take on the scale of an ancient myth. Rich in national color and philosophical depth, the performance opens a window into the traditions and spiritual values of Mongolia. Premiered in 2022, the production received numerous awards. In 2023, “The Mongol Khan” became the first Mongolian production to be presented in London’s West End, and subsequent tours in Singapore and Japan confirmed its international success. In 2026, the production will be presented in Russia for the first time as part of the 4th Pacific International Theatre Festival.
On September 22 and 23, at the Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre (Main Hall), South African choreographer Mamela Nyamza will present her production “Hatched Ensemble.” Originally conceived as an intimate solo piece, it has evolved into a large-scale artistic statement that reinterprets the canon of classical ballet. The performance features ten classically trained dancers, an opera singer, and a live musician, while the choreography brings together European classical traditions and African dance and vocal forms. The work explores themes of identity, corporeality, and cultural diversity, creating a powerful dialogue between tradition and modernity. Acclaimed on international stages, Mamela Nyamza’s production invites audiences to reconsider familiar forms and discover new meanings within them.
On September 23 and 24, the Primorsky Academic Gorky Drama Theatre will present The Lady with the Dog, performed by the Bable Theatre Collective and directed by She Mujie. Drawing on Anton Chekhov’s short story of the same name, the young director fr om China offers a contemporary stage interpretation of the classic text, combining fidelity to the original with a search for a new theatrical language. The production is distinguished by its refined aesthetics and experimental form, while remaining emotionally accessible to audiences. The performance was previously presented at the prestigious Wuzhen Theatre Festival, wh ere it received high critical acclaim for its intellectual depth and expressive stage design.
On September 24 and 25, as well as October 9, the Primorsky Regional Youth Drama Theatre will host the world premiere of Uncle Vanya, a joint project of the 4th Pacific International Theatre Festival and the theatre, directed by Brazilian director Ada Luana. The production will be the final part of the director’s Chekhov trilogy and will continue her exploration of Russian classical literature through a contemporary theatrical language. Working with the Youth Theatre cast, Ada Luana employs an etude-based method and aims to reveal the individuality of each actor and to create a vibrant, multi-layered stage fabric. The project exemplifies international collaboration and professional exchange, bringing together theatrical traditions of Russia and the BRICS countries. The premiere in Vladivostok will mark an important milestone in the development of the Festival and its dialogue with the global theatre community.
On September 26 and 27, the Primorsky Gorky Academic Drama Theater will host performances of No One Writes to the Colonel by the Colombian Teatro Colón, directed by Jorge Alí Triana. Based on the novella by Gabriel García Márquez, the production tells the story of an elderly colonel who has been waiting for his promised pension for many years, exploring themes of human dignity, hope, and inner resilience. Structured as a series of dialogues and accompanied by live music, the performance creates an intimate and poignant atmosphere. Its premiere at the Chekhov International Theatre Festival in Moscow in 2025 was highly praised by critics. A distinctive feature of the production is the participation of a live rooster in one of the key roles, which in Vladivostok will appear on stage alongside Colombian actor Germán Jaramillo.
On September 27 and 28, the Primorsky Regional Youth Drama Theater will present 40 or Not by the Lee Martial Arts Theatre under the direction of Lee Swee Seng. This multi-genre production blends the aesthetics of wushu, dance, drama, and multimedia, transforming martial arts into an expressive stage language. The performance explores themes of time and self-discovery, offering a philosophical reflection on age and inner freedom. At the center of the story are four characters who have crossed the threshold of forty and are rethinking their life paths. Their stories come together as a unified artistic statement about resilience, dreams, and the determination to move forward despite any limitations.
On September 29 and 30, the Primorsky Gorky Academic Drama Theater will stage I Did Not Kill My Husband by the State Theatre of Nations, directed by Chinese director Ding Yiteng. Based on the novel I Am Not Pan Jinlian by Liu Zhenyun, the production tells the story of a woman whose personal drama evolves into a struggle for justice and dignity. Combining comedy and drama, it portrays the fate of the “little person” against a backdrop of social contradictions. The Russian psychological school intertwines with the traditions of Peking Opera, creating a unique stage language. Adapted specifically for Russian actors, the production becomes an artistic dialogue between the cultures of Russia and China.
On September 30 and October 1, the Primorsky Regional Youth Drama Theater will host Karagoz, directed by Kazakhstani director Farkhad Moldagali and presented by the G. Musrepov Kazakh State Academic Theatre for Children and Youth. Based on the play by the classic of Kazakh literature Mukhtar Auezov, the production explores a tragic love story unfolding against the backdrop of strict traditions and social prohibitions. The performance is conceived in the genre of sound drama, wh ere the dramatic action is inseparably linked with a musical and sonic score. Its premiere in 2021 became a notable cultural event in Kazakhstan, and the production has since gained international recognition, receiving awards for its direction.
On October 1 and 2, at the Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre (Main Hall), the Festival program will be enriched with the production Within by the Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company. It combines classical Indian Kathak dance with a contemporary stage language, creating a powerful and multi-layered artistic space. It explores the inner world of a human being, wh ere opposing forces intertwine – fr om cruelty to compassion, from darkness to light. The work of Aditi Mangaldas has received critical acclaim and has been successfully presented at international festivals worldwide, confirming her status as one of the leading figures in contemporary dance.
On October 3 and 4, the Primorsky Regional Youth Drama Theater will present Penelope, Oh Penelope, a collaboration of the Sos Sargsyan Hamazgayin State Theater (Armenia) and Chekhov International Theatre Festival (Russia), directed by Simon Abkarian. The production, successfully presented at the Chekhov Festival in Moscow in 2025 and awarded three prizes at the Artavazd National Theatre Award, reinterprets the image of Penelope from The Odyssey in the context of a contemporary conflict of values. At the heart of the story lies a clash between two worldviews: fidelity to tradition, family, and inner duty, and the pragmatic logic of power and gain. The production brings together leading actors of the Hamazgayin Theatre, with the title role performed by Narine Grigoryan. The performance explores themes of war, memory, and moral choice, shaping its dramatic action as a philosophical debate on the nature of human loyalty and freedom.
On October 9, 10, and 11, the Primorsky Regional Puppet Theatre will present a production for the festival’s youngest audiences – The Smart Dog Sonya by the State Puppet Theatre of Belarus, directed by Evgeny Kornyag. Based on the stories by Andrey Usachev, the performance is designed for family audiences. Awarded the National Theatre Prize of the Republic of Belarus as the Best Children’s and Youth Production of 2025, it combines expressive puppetry, original scenography, and specially composed music. At the center is the curious and cheerful dog Sonya, whose amusing adventures turn into gentle lessons about friendship, kindness, and mutual support, resonating with both children and adults.
On October 10 and 11, at the Primorsky Stage of the Mariinsky Theatre (Main Hall), the Festival will conclude with the concert-performance Dead Souls – a musical-literary composition based on the poem by Nikolai Gogol and the Gogol Suite by Alfred Schnittke, marking the 90th anniversary of the composer’s birth. Directed by Marina Brusnikina, the production brings together the music of the All-Russian Youth Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Yuri Bashmet with a dramatic reading of excerpts from the poem performed by Yevgeny Mironov and Maria Smolnikova. The focus extends beyond the well-known characters to include lesser-known figures, revealing the many facets of Gogol’s work. The project unites literature, music, and contemporary visual art, creating a multi-layered stage space in which the classic text acquires new resonance. The Festival’s finale becomes a reflection on human nature, wh ere humor and tragedy are inseparably intertwined.
The Festival is held in Vladivostok with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and with the assistance of the Government of Primorsky Krai.
Festival organizers: the Chekhov International Theatre Festival with the participation of the State Theatre of Nations.
General Partner: Channel One Russia.
Partner: VTB Bank.
Regional Media Partner: OTV-Prim.
Ticketing Partner: kassy.ru.