The LDM Theater explained the changes in the musical based on Akunin’s book by touring in China

The decision to rewrite the libretto of the musical based on the book by Boris Akunin (recognized as a foreign agent) “The Diamond Chariot”, which is shown at the LDM “New Stage” theater, is not connected with its inclusion in the register of foreign agents and the list of terrorists and extremists. About it RBC said the musical director of the St. Petersburg theater Anton Tanonov. According to Mr. Tanonov, they decided to rename the musical and make changes to its plot even before the pandemic due to the prospects of touring in China.

“The situation is this: the agreement with Akunin was signed back in 2018–2019. And the current situation, when Akunin was recognized as a terrorist or a foreign agent, has nothing to do with it. Before the pandemic, we received offers from China for cooperation. And our theater launched several projects,” said Anton Tanonov.

The musical director of LDM noted that Boris Akunin initially refused to write the libretto and “distanced himself” from the production after the premiere, which took place in 2020. “After the premiere, Akunin said that this is a completely different work, that he had nothing to do with it, he appreciated the work on the scenery, the costumes, the music, but said that this is absolutely not what he intended for the work,”— said Mr. Tanonov and added that the writer never received payments from the screenings of the musical.

On page theater on VKontakte it is clarified that the theater began negotiations with one of the largest distributors in China even before the pandemic. After the lifting of Covid restrictions, LDM and Joyway Culture & Media signed an agreement to tour the musical “Onegin’s Demon” in China. The distributor was also interested in the musical “The Diamond Chariot,” but he was not satisfied with the location and “some other aspects of the production,” the theater says. They decided to adjust the musical and in 2020 they brought in sinologist historian Anton Terekhov to transform the material.

About changes to the production on January 28 reported Boris Akunin himself. In particular, LDM changed the name of the musical from “The Diamond Chariot” to “Marco Polo. White Lotus”. Instead of Japan, China became the new setting. The first performance of the updated musical is scheduled for March.

Boris Akunin does not live in Russia. December 18, 2023 Rosfinmonitoring contributed Boris Akunin to the list of terrorists and extremists. On the same day, a criminal case was opened against him. He is suspected of publicly justifying terrorism and disseminating deliberately false information about the Russian army (Article 205.2, Article 207.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). January 12, 2024 Ministry of Justice contributed Boris Akunin to the register of foreign agents. January 26 Ministry of Internal Affairs announced the writer is wanted.

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