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 Frankfurt am Main , The Bench by Alexander Gelman in Frankfurt am Main , Russian theatre performance in Frankfurt am Main 2026 , Russian theatre in Frankfurt am Main , theatre in Russian language in Frankfurt am Main , chamber play in Frankfurt am Main , psychological drama in Frankfurt am Main , classic Soviet drama in Frankfurt am Main , premiere of The Bench in Frankfurt am Main , Russian theatre premiere Frankfurt am Main 2026 , The Bench show dates in Frankfurt am Main , performance date The Bench Frankfurt am Main , theatre schedule Frankfurt am Main Russian , theatre evening in Frankfurt am Main Russian , tickets for The Bench Frankfurt am Main , buy tickets The Bench Frankfurt am Main , Russian theatre tickets Frankfurt am Main , play with Alexey Panin in Frankfurt am Main , Alexey Panin theatre Frankfurt am Main , Alexey Panin on stage in Frankfurt am Main , Russian theatre tour Frankfurt am Main , adult theatre performance in Frankfurt am Main , intellectual theatre in Frankfurt am Main , drama about love and loneliness in Frankfurt am Main , theatre premiere Frankfurt am Main Russian , theatre season Frankfurt am Main 2026 , Russian cultural event in Frankfurt am Main
| Date: | 26.05.2026 |
| Time: | 19:30 |
| Venue: | Bürgerhaus Sindlingen |
| Address: | Sindlinger Bahnstr. 124, 65931 Frankfurt am Main |
| Buy ticket | |
| All dates and venues | |
Upcoming events
Новогодняя детская елка «Щелкунчик» во Франкфурте на Майне 2025
Stadthalle Bergen
Schelmenburgplatz 2, 60388 Frankfurt am Main
Новогодняя детская елка во Франкфурте на Майне 2025. Театр Юного Зрителя
Rudolf Steiner Haus Frankfurt am Main
Hügelstraße 67, 60433 Frankfurt am Main
Dance Show «NINA» в Бад-Хомбурге 2025
Kurhaus Bad Homburg
Louisenstraße 58, 61348 Bad Homburg
Classical Ballet of Naples “The Nutcracker” in Germany 2025–2026
Stadthalle Wetzlar
Brühlsbachstraße 2b, 35578 Wetzlar
TENORS DI NAPOLI in Germany 2025
Dolce Jugendstil-Theater
Elvis-Presley-Platz 1, 61231 Bad Nauheim
Classical Ballet of Naples “The Nutcracker” in Germany 2025–2026
Hugenottenhalle
Frankfurter Str. 152, 63263 Neu-Isenburg
Новогодняя детская Ёлка в Вюрцбурге «Тайна Снежной Королевы» 2025
Congress Centrum Würzburg
Pleichertorstr. 12, 97070 Würzburg
TENORS DI NAPOLI concert in Darmstadt (Frankfurt am Main) 2025
Orangerie Darmstadt
Bessunger Straße 44, 64285 Darmstadt
Classical Ballet of Naples “The Nutcracker” in Germany 2025–2026
Congress Forum Frankenthal
Stephan Cosacchi Platz 5, 67227 Frankenthal
Christmas Tree Event in Giessen
Saz Club & Bar Giessen
An d. Automeile 20c, 35394 Gießen
Classical Ballet of Naples “The Nutcracker” in Germany 2025–2026
Stadttheater Idar-Oberstein
Wilhelmstrasse 22,, 55743 Idar Oberstein
Новогодняя детская елка «Щелкунчик» в Майнце 2025
Bürgerhaus Finthen
Am Obstmarkt 24, 55126 Mainz
Classical Ballet of Naples “The Nutcracker” in Germany 2025–2026
Stadthalle am Schloss
Schlossplatz 1, 63739 Aschaffenburg
Classical Ballet of Naples “The Nutcracker” in Germany 2025–2026
Dolce Jugendstil-Theater
Elvis-Presley-Platz 1, 61231 Bad Nauheim
Новогодняя детская Ёлка во Франкфурте на Майне «Тайна Снежной Королевы» 2025
Stadthalle Bergen
Schelmenburgplatz 2, 60388 Frankfurt am Main
Новогодняя детская елка «Щелкунчик» в Манхайме 2025
Kulturhaus Käfertal Mannheim
Gartenstraße 8 (Im Stempel-Park), 68309 Mannheim
Classical Ballet of Naples “Swan Lake” in Bad Homburg (Germany) 2025
Kurtheater
Louisenstraße 58, 61348 Bad Homburg v. d. Höhe
Classical Ballet of Naples “Swan Lake” in Germany 2025–2026
Kulturzentrum Palatin, Staufersaal
Ringstraße 17, 69168 Wiesloch
Classical Ballet of Naples “Swan Lake” in Germany 2025–2026
Kongresshalle
Berliner Platz 2, 35390 Gießen
Classical Ballet of Naples “Swan Lake” in Germany 2025–2026
Stadthalle Lohr (Main)
Jahnstraße 8, 97816 Lohr am Main
Classical Ballet of Naples “Swan Lake” in Germany 2025–2026
Stadthalle Limburg
Hospitalstraße 4, 65549 Limburg
“The Nutcracker”. International Festival Ballet & Festival Orchestra
Jahrhunderthalle
Pfaffenwiese 301, 65929 Frankfurt am Main
Classical Ballet of Naples “The Nutcracker” in Germany 2025–2026
Congress Centrum Würzburg
Pleichertorstr. 12, 97070 Würzburg
Classical Ballet of Naples “The Nutcracker” in Germany 2025–2026
Die Stadthalle
Niddastraße 3, 61118 Bad Vilbel
Classical Ballet of Naples “Swan Lake” in Germany 2025–2026
Kurtheater
Louisenstraße 58, 61348 Bad Homburg v. d. Höhe
Classical Ballet of Naples “The Nutcracker” in Germany 2025–2026
Festhalle
Saarlandstr. 9, 66482 Zweibrücken
Classical Ballet of Naples “The Nutcracker” in Germany 2025–2026
Europahalle Trier
Viehmarktplatz 15, 54290 Trier
Stand-up comedian Sasha Dolgopolov in Frankfurt am Main (Germany)
Kulturhaus Frankfurt
Pfingstweidstraße 2, 60316 Frankfurt am Main
Classical Ballet of Naples “Swan Lake” in Germany 2025–2026
Stadthalle am Schloss
Schlossplatz 1, 63739 Aschaffenburg
Classical Ballet of Naples “Cinderella” in Germany
Kurhaus
Kurhausplatz 1, 65189 Wiesbaden
