Moscows fringe Doc theatre faces censorship with eviction

Performer wears Vladimir Putin mask in Halloween performance at Moscows Doc theatre. Photograph: Alexey Zhiryako

Russia has been discouraging public celebrations of Halloween as part of a campaign against western influence.

But that did not stop Teatr.Doc from staging a bitingly satirical Night of the Living Dead on Friday night in what may be one of the last ever productions at the tiny basement theatre in central Moscow famous for innovative and uncompromising work.

In a move that has shaken the international theatrical community, the Moscow authorities have ordered Teatr.Doc to vacate the basement on grounds that it had violated property regulations.

Many people think the eviction order masks an illegal attempt to censor one of Moscows few independent theatres and turn the premises into something and more profitable and predictable like a cocktail bar or billiard hall.

Problems began at Teatr.Doc, or Doc as its known among Moscow theatre buffs, when fire inspectors visited in April and ordered the theatre to replace a window with a door. What initially looked like a safety precaution turned out to be bureaucratic trap. Moscow City Property Department has ruled the new exit breaches structural rules and has terminated Teatr.Docs lease.

Were not state-owned and dont receive any government funding so the lease is the only weapon the authorities can use against us, said Mr Ugarov who co-founded Teatr.Doc with his wife and fellow playwright and director Elena Gremina in 2002.

News of Teatr.Docs eviction has sparked outrage. More than 6,200 people including Elyse Dodgson, international director at Londons Royal Court Theatre, and Hollywood actor Bill Pullman have signed a petition on change.org urging Moscows mayor to reverse the decision.

Russia has reverted to Soviet style censorship and petty vindictiveness to silence Teatr.Doc, British playwright Tom Stoppard wrote in an open letter published last week. With sorrow one cannot help noting that the battle for freedom of expression which has been won in the past has to be fought again by this tiny theatre.

Founded in the early years of Vladimir Putins rule, Teatr.Doc has made enemies with documentary work that explores the social and political fall out from Russias slide towards authoritarianism.

Link:
Moscows fringe Doc theatre faces censorship with eviction