Once again, the German classic turned to Russian historical subjects. As the basis for this play, Peter Hax chose the play “Dimitri the Pretender” written in 1771 by Alexander Sumarokov. The famous story about Grishka Otrepiev, who ascended the throne and was actively supported by the Poles, is presented to us in a relatively short play, where more attention is paid not so much to Dimitri as to Vasily and Ksenia Shuisky, who, according to Vasily’s plan, overthrow the impostor from the throne. The classic story, which no one has addressed for a long time, is presented in a modern and relatively light manner. Peter Hacks is a German playwright, poet and essayist. In the 60s he became the founder of socialist classicism and was considered one of the most significant playwrights of the GDR. For a long time, Hax was the only modern writer whose works were staged on the theatrical stage not only in the GDR, but also in the Federal Republic of Germany. Hax gained worldwide fame from his play “A Conversation in the Stein Family about the Absent Herr von Goethe.” Translation: Ella Vengerova