The play “The Bench” in Germany 2026
The play “The Bench” by Alexander Gelman in a new production in Germany
In May 2026, German theatres will present the legendary play “The Bench” by Alexander Gelman — one of the key works of Soviet drama that has retained its artistic and human relevance for more than forty years. The new production will become a notable event of the theatrical season and will offer European audiences a contemporary interpretation of a classic text.
Written in 1983 and banned from performance for many years, The Bench explores themes of human closeness, loneliness and inner vulnerability. The story of a chance encounter between a man and a woman who once shared a common past unfolds as an honest dialogue about love, trust and the search for meaning. The play’s concise form combines psychological precision, emotional truth and subtle irony.
The first stage production of The Bench premiered at the Moscow Art Theatre under the direction of Oleg Efremov. The leading roles were performed by Tatiana Doronina and Oleg Tabakov. From this production began the play’s international stage history, later translated into dozens of languages and staged in many countries around the world.
The German version features:
• Alexey Panin — theatre and film actor, graduate of GITIS, who has worked at the Oleg Tabakov Theatre and the Moscow Pushkin Drama Theatre, known for films such as Zhmurki, The Star, D.M.B., Soldiers and Truckers, and a two-time nominee for the Nika National Film Award;
• Vera Kutsenko — theatre and film actress known for her expressive dramatic style and precise psychological performance.
The Bench is a chamber play in which every word and pause becomes a direct conversation with the audience. The production addresses timeless themes — hope, love, the desire to be heard and the ability to be close to another person. The German premiere offers a careful and modern interpretation of a classic work that has preserved its emotional depth and dramatic intensity.
In May 2026, German theatres will present the legendary play “The Bench” by Alexander Gelman — one of the key works of Soviet drama that has retained its artistic and human relevance for more than forty years. The new production will become a notable event of the theatrical season and will offer European audiences a contemporary interpretation of a classic text.
Written in 1983 and banned from performance for many years, The Bench explores themes of human closeness, loneliness and inner vulnerability. The story of a chance encounter between a man and a woman who once shared a common past unfolds as an honest dialogue about love, trust and the search for meaning. The play’s concise form combines psychological precision, emotional truth and subtle irony.
The first stage production of The Bench premiered at the Moscow Art Theatre under the direction of Oleg Efremov. The leading roles were performed by Tatiana Doronina and Oleg Tabakov. From this production began the play’s international stage history, later translated into dozens of languages and staged in many countries around the world.
The German version features:
• Alexey Panin — theatre and film actor, graduate of GITIS, who has worked at the Oleg Tabakov Theatre and the Moscow Pushkin Drama Theatre, known for films such as Zhmurki, The Star, D.M.B., Soldiers and Truckers, and a two-time nominee for the Nika National Film Award;
• Vera Kutsenko — theatre and film actress known for her expressive dramatic style and precise psychological performance.
The Bench is a chamber play in which every word and pause becomes a direct conversation with the audience. The production addresses timeless themes — hope, love, the desire to be heard and the ability to be close to another person. The German premiere offers a careful and modern interpretation of a classic work that has preserved its emotional depth and dramatic intensity.
Tags: Russian-speaking theatre in Germany , new production of The Bench in Germany , Russian actor Alexey Panin in Germany , The Bench play in Munich , The Bench by Alexander Gelman in Munich , Russian theatre performance in Munich 2026 , Russian theatre in Munich , theatre in Russian language in Munich , chamber play in Munich , psychological drama in Munich , classic Soviet drama in Munich , premiere of The Bench in Munich , Russian theatre premiere Munich 2026 , The Bench show dates in Munich , performance date The Bench Munich , theatre schedule Munich Russian , theatre evening in Munich Russian , tickets for The Bench Munich , buy tickets The Bench Munich , Russian theatre tickets Munich , play with Alexey Panin in Munich , Alexey Panin theatre Munich , Alexey Panin on stage in Munich , Russian theatre tour Munich , adult theatre performance in Munich , intellectual theatre in Munich , drama about love and loneliness in Munich , theatre premiere Munich Russian , theatre season Munich 2026 , Russian cultural event in Munich
| Date: | 27.05.2026 |
| Time: | 19:30 |
| Venue: | Gasteig / Carl-Orff-Saal |
| Address: | Rosenheimerstr. 5, 81667 München |
| Buy ticket | |
| All dates and venues | |
Upcoming events
Liya Akhedzhakova in Karlsruhe. Stage play “Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead”
Konzerthaus Karlsruhe
Festplatz 9, 76137 Karlsruhe
Kaspiyskiy Gruz band in Stuttgart (Germany) 2026
Proton the Club
Königstraße 49, 70173 Stuttgart
Valeriy Meladze in Germany 2026
Congress Centrum
Am Waisenhausplatz 1 - 3, 75172 Pforzheim
“It’s All Her” – Play in Germany 2026
Festhalle Harmonie
Allee 28, 74072 Heilbronn
Svetlana Loboda in Germany. Tour 2026
MHP Arena
Schwieberdinger Str. 30, 71636 Ludwigsburg
Classical Ballet of Naples “Cinderella” in Ulm (Germany)
Congress-Centrum Ulm
Basteistraße 40, 89073 Ulm
Classical Ballet of Naples “Cinderella” in Freiburg (Germany)
Paulussaal Freiburg
Dreisamstr. 3, 79098 Freiburg
Classical Ballet of Naples “Cinderella” in Ravensburg (Germany)
Konzerthaus Ravensburg
Wilhelmstraße 3, 88212 Ravensburg
Classical Ballet of Naples “Cinderella” in Würzburg (Germany)
Congress Centrum Würzburg
Pleichertorstr. 12, 97070 Würzburg
Play “The Master and Margarita” in Stuttgart
Sängerhalle Stuttgart
Lindenschulstraße 29, 70327 Stuttgart
Play “The Master and Margarita” in Freiburg
Bürgerhaus Zähringen
Lameystraße 2, 79108 Freiburg
The play “THE SUITCASE” based on stories by Sergey Dovlatov in Neu-Ulm (Germany)
Edwin Scharff Haus
Silcherstraße 40, 89231 Neu Ulm
Спектакль «ЧЕМОДАН» по рассказам Сергея Довлатова в Карлсруэ
Konzerthaus Karlsruhe
Festplatz 9, 76137 Karlsruhe
Alexander Neslobin in Stuttgart (Germany)
Altes Feuerwehrhaus (Gemeinwesenzentrum) Stuttgart-Süd
Moehringer Str. 56, 70199 Stuttgart
