Kirill Serebrennikov

As the Kremlin's influence seeps further into Russia's cultural world, one of the few outlets left for free expression — theater — is fighting to survive.

A trial is currently under way against renowned director Yevgeniya Berkovich and playwright Svetlana Petriychuk, both of whom produced critically acclaimed work before their arrest in May 2023.

Russia's Bolshoi Theater has removed a ballet dedicated to dancer Rudolf Nureyev from its repertoire, citing a new Russian law that expands restrictions on activities seen as promoting LGBT rights, its director said Wednesday.

Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre has decided to cancel a ballet production by the Kremlin-critical director Kirill Serebrennikov and replace it with a ballet by Slovenian-based choreographer Edward Clug. Clug says he is powerless because the Bolshoi holds exclusive rights to his ballet until 2026.

Russian director Kirill Serebrennikov was permitted to leave the country and has travelled to Berlin. 

The 52-year-old is known for his daring films and plays that have earned him the ire of conservatives.

Serbia's most prestigious theatre festival, BITEF, has dismissed the stated reasons for Kirill Serebrennikov's detention in Russia as unacceptable and has expressed the hope that other, political reasons, are not hidden behind the charges.