Konstantin Khabensky appointed artistic director of the Moscow Art Theater named after Chekhov

The Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation stressed that Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, laureate of the State Prize of the Russian Federation Zhenovach is leaving the post of artistic director of the theater at his own request.

“In this position, he will be replaced by the leading Russian actor, theater and film director Konstantin Khabensky”, - the ministry said.

According to the head of the department Olga Lyubimova, Zhenovach “received the Moscow Art Theater named after A.P. Chekhov in a difficult period and in his activities as artistic director was guided by the high ideals of creativity laid down by his predecessors".

He will continue to run the Studio of Performing Arts.

It's worth reminding that Sergey Zhenovach was appointed artistic director of the Moscow Art Theater in March 2018 after People's Artist of the USSR Oleg Tabakov died. The troupe made claims to the new artistic director, and the People's Artist of Russia Natalya Tenyakova accused him of "dislike of artists and the theater".

The Ministry of Culture believes that the new management of the theater will have to offer the viewer new creative projects.

"We are sure that Konstantin Yuryevich has the necessary qualities and authority to unite the troupe around him and bring the theater to a new level. He has been working at the Moscow Art Theater for many years. A.P. Chekhov, is well known to the team and knows the situation in the institution from the inside. Thanks to this, he will be able to quickly get involved in work in a new position”, - the department noted.

Konstantin Khabensky is People's Artist of the Russian Federation, Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, laureate of the State Prize of the Russian Federation. He named the most popular actor in the first 15 years of the 19th century. He made his directorial debut in 2018 with the film Sobibor. In it, he played the main role. Khabensky is known to the audience mainly for the TV series "Deadly Force" and the films "Night Watch" and "Day Watch".