On May 28, the troupe of the A. S. Pushkin State Russian Drama Theatre from Ashgabat presented the performance “Chekhov’s Vaudevilles” on the stage of the Podolsk Drama Theatre as part of the 26th International Theatre Festival “Melikhov Spring.”

The production, directed by Bayram Garajaev, a graduate of the Saint Petersburg State Institute of Culture, combined sparkling humor with the subtle psychological depth characteristic of Anton Chekhov’s early works.

The play entered the theatre’s repertoire in 2024 and was based on three lesser-known plays by the author — “Volovyi Luzhki,” “The Bear,” and “The Festivities.” In addition, the image of the writer himself appears on stage. According to the director’s concept, transitions between scenes are filled with journalistic excerpts from Chekhov’s diaries and personal letters.

The roles in the production were performed by the theatre’s young leading actors, whose performance was warmly received by the festival audience. Following the performance, the Ashgabat troupe was awarded a commemorative festival diploma. Participation in this large-scale event became an excellent opportunity for the company to demonstrate to audiences and experts an original Turkmen interpretation of the great Russian classics, while also contributing to the strengthening of international cultural ties.

The 26th International Theatre Festival “Melikhov Spring” is taking place from May 22 to May 31, 2026, at the A. P. Chekhov State Literary and Memorial Museum-Reserve “Melikhovo,” one of the most picturesque and iconic locations in the Moscow region. It was on this estate that the writer spent seven productive years and created more than 40 of his famous works.

This year, the ten-day program brought together 26 performances based on Chekhov’s works and about Chekhov. Alongside leading theatre companies from various Russian cities — including Saint Petersburg, Samara, and Lipetsk — theatres from Vietnam, Serbia, Belarus, Abkhazia, Iran, and Kazakhstan are also showcasing their artistry.