On 15 and 16 February 2027, Vladislav Lantratov and Kimin Kim will share the stage for the first time in an original production – the world premiere of the ballet «The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde» at the New Opera.
In the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, two characters exist within one person. In a new production, this duality will literally be split between two artists: the respectable Dr. Jekyll will be portrayed by Bolshoi Theatre principal dancer Vladislav Lantratov, while his dark alter ego, Edward Hyde, will be played by Mariinsky Theatre principal dancer Kimin Kim.
For Russian ballet, this is an unusual encounter: the principal dancers from the two main theatres of the country will perform together for the first time in an original production created especially for them.
Lantratov admits that he finds the very nature of such a stage partnership particularly fascinating – close friends will find themselves «on different sides of the same person».
«Kimin and I are true friends, and I’m intrigued to see how we will exist in the play as different aspects of the same person. My criterion throughout my creative life has been that every role should be performed with the utmost dedication, and in our production, we strive to ensure that every element is of the highest standard,» says Vladislav Lantratov.
Kimin Kim describes their interaction almost like a stage dialogue:
«Vlad is a very close friend of mine offstage and a dancer whom I deeply respect onstage. When I dance with him, it feels like we are not just performing choreography, but truly conversing with each other.»
The two-act ballet is based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella about Dr. Jekyll, who creates a potion capable of unleashing his darker side. Thus, Edward Hyde emerges—devoid of conscience and fearless of consequences. However, the more frequently Jekyll resorts to transformation, the more his created alter ego begins to dominate his will.
Choreographer John Paul Cook, winner of the 2026 Golden Mask Award for the ballet «Wuthering Heights», constructs the performance primarily as a psychological duel between two opposites.
«The two main characters are embodiments of the polar extremes of human psychology, and as a director, I am interested in the plastic language in which they will exist on stage. It would be impossible to find better dancers for these roles: two artists with different cultures, different dance educations, and completely different plasticity – yet they are close friends,» explains Cook.
A distinctive feature of the production will be its music. Unlike many contemporary ballets created to existing compositions, «Jekyll and Hyde» has been given its own score. It was specially composed for the performance by Gleb Andrianov, a composer and pianist who is the artistic director of the Cinematica orchestra, working at the intersection of classical and experimental music.
At the premiere, the score will be performed by a symphony orchestra. Artem Abashev, a guest conductor of the Bolshoi Theatre, and conductor of the Perm Opera and Ballet Theatre and the Ural Opera Ballet, will take the podium.
The visual world of the performance is crafted in the aesthetic of a neo-romantic Gothic novel. The sets and costumes were designed by Olga Skurikhina, while the lighting artist is Golden Mask laureate Konstantin Binkin, who has worked with the Bolshoi and Mariinsky Theatres and leading Russian and international choreographers.
The world premiere of «The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde» will take place on 15 and 16 February 2027 at the E.V. Kolobov New Opera Theatre. Tickets will go on sale on 13 November on the theatre’s official website. The performance is rated 12+.
The production is produced by De Chambre agency, founded by Polina Pavlovich and Polina Syrtsova. Among its previous projects are Vladislav Lantratov’s gala concert and Maria Alexandrova’s benefit performance at the Moscow Academic Musical Theatre.
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