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 Paderborn , The Bench by Alexander Gelman in Paderborn , Russian theatre performance in Paderborn 2026 , Russian theatre in Paderborn , theatre in Russian language in Paderborn , chamber play in Paderborn , psychological drama in Paderborn , classic Soviet drama in Paderborn , premiere of The Bench in Paderborn , Russian theatre premiere Paderborn 2026 , The Bench show dates in Paderborn , performance date The Bench Paderborn , theatre schedule Paderborn Russian , theatre evening in Paderborn Russian , tickets for The Bench Paderborn , buy tickets The Bench Paderborn , Russian theatre tickets Paderborn , play with Alexey Panin in Paderborn , Alexey Panin theatre Paderborn , Alexey Panin on stage in Paderborn , Russian theatre tour Paderborn , adult theatre performance in Paderborn , intellectual theatre in Paderborn , drama about love and loneliness in Paderborn , theatre premiere Paderborn Russian , theatre season Paderborn 2026 , Russian cultural event in Paderborn
| Date: | 28.05.2026 |
| Time: | 19:30 |
| Venue: | PaderHalle |
| Address: | Heiersmauer 45-51, 33098 Paderborn |
|
Sales closed. Please check other dates and venues.
|
|
| All dates and venues | |
Upcoming events
Open Mic: Stand-up in Berlin (Germany)
SaliGari Bar
Simplonstraße 23, 10245 Berlin
Classical Ballet of Naples “Cinderella” in Pforzheim (Germany), 2026
Congress Centrum
Am Waisenhausplatz 1 - 3, 75172 Pforzheim
Classical Ballet of Naples “Cinderella” in Karlsruhe (Germany), 2026
Konzerthaus Karlsruhe
Festplatz 9, 76137 Karlsruhe
Valeriy Meladze in Bremen 2026
Die Glocke
Domsheide 4 - 5, 28195 Bremen
Sales closed
On World Theatre Day. Three masters – three masterpieces
ART-CAFÉ AVIATOR
Lindower Str. 18, 13347 Berlin
Classical Ballet of Naples “Cinderella” in Aschaffenburg (Germany), 2026
Stadthalle am Schloss
Schlossplatz 1, 63739 Aschaffenburg
Stand-up comedian Sasha Dolgopolov in Nuremberg (Germany)
Crazy Nate's West Coast Mexican
u. Zwingerstraße 9, 90489 Nürnberg
Concert of modern classical music: “From Einaudi to Zimmer” in Hamburg
Halle 424
Stockmeyerstraße 43, 20457 Hamburg
Stand-up comedian Sasha Dolgopolov in Heidelberg (Germany)
Cave 54
Krämergasse 2, 69117 Heidelberg
On World Theatre Day. Three masters – three masterpieces
ART-CAFÉ AVIATOR
Lindower Str. 18, 13347 Berlin
Classical Ballet of Naples “Cinderella” in Bamberg (Germany), 2026
Konzerthalle Bamberg
Mußstr. 1, 96047 Bamberg
Classical Ballet of Naples “Cinderella” in Siegburg (Germany), 2026
Rhein Sieg Halle
Bachstrasse 1, 53721 Siegburg
Valeriy Meladze in Berlin 2026
Uber Eats Music Hall
Uber Platz 2, 10243 Berlin
Sales closed
On World Theatre Day. Three masters – three masterpieces
ART-CAFÉ AVIATOR
Lindower Str. 18, 13347 Berlin
Stand-up comedian Sasha Dolgopolov in Berlin (Germany)
Karakas Bar
Kurfürstenstraße 9, 10785 Berlin
Stand-up comedian Sasha Dolgopolov in Berlin (Germany)
Karakas Bar
Kurfürstenstraße 9, 10785 Berlin
Classical Ballet of Naples “Cinderella” in Ravensburg (Germany)
Konzerthaus Ravensburg
Wilhelmstraße 3, 88212 Ravensburg
Open Mic: Stand-up in Berlin (Germany)
SaliGari Bar
Simplonstraße 23, 10245 Berlin
Classical Ballet of Naples “Cinderella” in Marburg (Germany)
Erwin-Piscator-Haus
Biegenstraße 15, 35037 Marburg
“Scherchez l’homme” – play, comedy, girls’ night out in Berlin
Theatre Pool
Boxhagener Str. 18, 10245 Berlin
“Scherchez l’homme” – play, comedy, girls’ night out in Berlin
Theatre Pool
Boxhagener Str. 18, 10245 Berlin
Anna Vilenskaya in Hamburg (Germany) 2026
Tschaikowsky-Saal
Tschaikowskypl. 2, 20355 Hamburg
Classical Ballet of Naples “Cinderella” in Augsburg (Germany)
Kongress am Park
Gögginger Straße 10, 86159 Augsburg
Anna Vilenskaya in Stuttgart (Germany) 2026
Sängerhalle Stuttgart
Lindenschulstraße 29, 70327 Stuttgart
Play “The Master and Margarita” in Würzburg
Mainfrankensaele
Mainlande 1, 97209 Würzburg
Valeriy Meladze in Hamburg 2026
Congress Center Hamburg
Am Dammtor / Marseiller Straße, 20355 Hamburg
“The Only Tallest Trees on Earth” – a theatre performance in Offenbach (Frankfurt am Main)
Capitol Theater
Goethestraße 1-5, 63067 Offenbach
Play “The Master and Margarita” in Fürth
Stadthalle Fürth
Rosenstraße 50, 90762 Fürth
Anna Vilenskaya in Frankfurt am Main (Germany) 2026
Kulturhaus Frankfurt
Pfingstweidstraße 2, 60316 Frankfurt am Main
Open Mic: Stand-up in Berlin (Germany)
SaliGari Bar
Simplonstraße 23, 10245 Berlin
