For one evening in London last November, audiences left behind the weight of geopolitics to reconnect with two iconic figures, Vladimir Pozner and Ivan Urgant, whose humour and nostalgia offer a glimpse of life before 2022. Yet beneath the laughter and stories lies a deeper reflection on Russia’s society today, its divided sentiments and the struggles of cultural figures navigating a war-torn world.

Could a prominent Russian act or theatre troupe no longer dream of filling a 3,000-seat London theatre? In a word, yes. Several Russian performers, shows, and acts have, in fact, sold out theatres up and down the United Kingdom since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Slava’s SnowShow will be touring Britain this year after remarkable success in Russia’s regional theatre scene. Ahead of this, in 2024, were two of Russian television’s most recognizable faces: veteran journalist Vladimir Pozner and TV personality Ivan Urgant.