Established in the post-Stalin years which sought to destroy the cult of personality, the “Sovremennik” Theatre (translating into “Contemporary Theatre”) was the first theatre founded by a free creative group of like-minded talents who were able to prove themselves as a wholesome and worthy artistic collective. Among the founders, all of whom graduated from Moscow Art Theatre School-Studio, were such respected actors as Oleg Yefremov, Galina Volchek, Igor Kvasha, Liliya Tolmachyova, Yevgeniy Yevstigneyev and Oleg Tabakov. Like any theatre​​​​​​​ it’s seen ups and downs throughout its relatively long history but no matter what, its fans always showed support and enthusiasm for what it does and this is why today it’s as strong as ever.