Shakespeare's Hamlet is the greatest cult play of all times and all nations. Holding it as 'twere a mirror for five centuries, actors of every country have looked in to understand what is a man, what are his relationships with others, with his society, his government and his times. Peter Stein's second production with a Russian cast became a bellwether interpretation of the great tragedy for the Russian stage of the '90s. The staging was unexpected and innovative for its time: the action took place in a boxing ring. Hamlet's confrontation was seen as a boxing match with himself. Stein's Hamlet was a young, sensuous and passionate man looking for – and failing to find – harmony within and outside of himself.

The production won popular and critical acclaim. Its biggest success was Hamlet himself, Yevgeny Mironov's favorite role and one of his greatest triumphs. It determined Mironov's status as a leading stage actor of his generation.

The final Hamlet was played in Kiev in 2004.

(No longer in repertory)