The best performances of Russia's theaters from across the country will be on show in St. Petersburg as the Golden Mask Festival brings their productions to town.

The twelve productions listed in the program were among those that have either been nominated or have already won the Golden Mask national theatrical award, i.e. the country's best shows of the past five years.

On the different stages in Russia's "Northern Venice", the performances crafted not only by recognized theater masters but also by young directors and actors' troupes from different parts of the country will run through until October 8.

The general director of the Golden Mask Festival, Maria Revyakina, underlined when speaking to RIA Novosti that it was especially important to bring the very best performances to St. Petersburg: "It's a very demanding city; people here always need to see new, bright productions."

Actor Yevgeny Mironov, participating in the Festival, believes that the event now can play a very important role in society. "It is known, for example, that in America during the Great Depression, art, and first of all theater, managed to take society away from the deadlock, having given people a new, strong, courageous and successful hero. Now, good theatrical performances for us are a unique chance to escape the banality surrounding us," the actor told RIA Novosti.

Both the Golden Mask national theatrical award and the eponymous festival were founded in 1994. All genres of modern theater receive awards: drama, opera, ballet, musicals, and even puppet theater.