Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Oleg Tabakov Theatre presented its first premiere of 2026 — "THAT very #13"The title is a reference to the theater's name, and the production itself is the third version of a play first performed 25 years ago. Read more in the mos.ru article.
Sitcom
It's evening, a room in an expensive London hotel. His guest, Richard Wyllie, an aide to the British Prime Minister, is supposed to attend a parliamentary session, but he has other, less-than-professional plans: spending time with Jane, the young secretary of his political opponent.
Fate intervenes, and the unexpected appearance of a lifeless stranger in the room sets off a wild chain of events involving not only the couple but also Richard's assistant, a greedy hotel employee, Jane's husband, and even a nun caring for an elderly woman. Each new action by the characters will only complicate the already difficult situation, leading to consequences—one more comical than the next.
The production is based on the 1990 play Out of Order by English playwright Ray Cooney. In 1991, it won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best English Comedy of the Year.
Vladimir Mashkov, director and artistic director of the Oleg Tabakov Theatre, first staged it at the Chekhov Moscow Art Theatre in 2001. This simple situation comedy immediately became a huge hit, with tickets selling out immediately. The lead roles were played by Avangard Leontyev (Willie) and Yevgeny Mironov (Pigden).
"This performance, as Oleg Pavlovich himself said, was a new stage in the development of the Art Theatre and the capacity of the auditorium, something he always paid close attention to," the director said.
In 2014, Oleg Tabakov and Vladimir Mashkov decided to create a second version with a different cast—and that's how the play "No. 13D" was born, which was also shown at the Moscow Art Theatre.
"Oleg Pavlovich wasn't feeling well at the time, but for the premiere of the second version, he put on a nice suit and new shoes and went on stage," recalls Vladimir Mashkov.
The current, third version, on the one hand, leaves the original text intact, while on the other, imbuing it with new, thoroughly contemporary meanings. The director is confident that, in the absurdity and chaos depicted on stage, audiences will inevitably recognize allusions to situations in contemporary Britain.
Willie, Pigden, No. 13
For the actors, "THAT ONE #13" is a very difficult challenge. Rehearsals began in September 2025, and they spent months perfecting every mise-en-scène and every line.
Vladislav Miller, who played George Pigden, the main character's assistant, said the constant dynamics leave no room for breath—the play moves at a very high speed.
But behind the outward ease lies a very serious inner work of acting. Here, the characters are concerned for their families, their reputations, and their ability to cope with complex moral questions.
"The most difficult thing about this production is something Oleg Pavlovich Tabakov once formulated: the long-term belief in the given circumstances. For the characters, this isn't a comedy at all, but a horror story. We try not to act, but to accurately and correctly reproduce human behavior," shared Vladislav Miller.
People's Artist of Russia Sergei Ugryumov played Richard Willey in the play. The actor also appeared in previous versions of the production, playing both the hotel employee and George Pigden.
"Both politicians and ordinary employees are prone to mistakes. It's just the scale of the mistakes that differs," says Sergei Ugryumov. "The play's characters find themselves in ridiculous situations and genuinely try to keep up appearances."
The performance is also technically complex. Room 13, where the action takes place, takes on a life of its own: the wiring is fickle, the lights flicker constantly, and the window sash is ready to collapse at any moment on anyone standing beneath it. The room becomes more than just a set piece, but another fully-fledged character in the story, with its own personality and quirks.
The play will be performed next on January 22, February 12, and February 27. Tickets can be purchased through the service Mosbilet.
Get the latest news quickly on official Moscow messaging channels. MAX AndTelegram.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.