Mikhail Zhvanetskiy, Russia's most famous living satirist and stand-up comedian, is set to delight UK based fans with a long awaited performance at London's Shaftesbury Theatre on Sunday 8 May.
The one off performance, which will see Zhvanetskiy hitting London with his signature well-worn leather briefcase, filled with jokes and observations, will be delivered entirely in Russian.
Zhvanetskiy has put together a very special program for the show, including a range of his best works to date, which have not only become the tour de force of Russian satire, but have formed the basis of many Russian proverbs and sayings. Alongside the classics, the audience will be treated to Zhvanetskiy's merciless portrayal of new, highly topical material, sure to induce tears of laughter.
Hailing from Odessea, the Black Sea port known as 'the crucible of Russian-Jewish humour', Zhvanetskiy is a talent with many strings to his bow. He started out his career penning numerous brilliant satirical miniatures with great philosophical insight, performed by legendary Russian comic actor, Arkady Raikin. In recent years he has worked extensively in the television industry, with his TV show "Duty Man of the Country" being aired monthly on national channel, Russia 1. He also continues to perform all over Russia and beyond, and has published several books, most notably: "Year For Two", "Meetings on the Streets" and "My Odessa".
Alongside this, Zhvanetskiy is the founder of the "Moscow Theatre of Miniatures" and the president of the Odessa International film-festival "Gold Duke." He has been awarded many prizes, both in Russia and beyond, most notably the honorary titles of People's Artist and Meritorious Artist of the Russian Federation. He has also decorated with Russian Order of Merit for the Fatherland, fourth class.
