The play "Heart of a Dog" in Germany 2026.

"Dog's Heart": A cult production for the 100th anniversary of Bulgakov's masterpiece

This fall, German audiences will be treated to a grand production of the legendary play "Dog's Heart", timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Mikhail Bulgakov's satirical novel of the same name. The play directed by the famous Valery Zolotukhin, created by the Bulgakov Theater team - the creators of the acclaimed production of "The Master and Margarita", successfully staged in German cities in 2019, 2021 and 2024 - is rightly considered one of the best interpretations of the immortal work.

"Dog's Heart" occupies a special place in Russian literature. Mikhail Bulgakov wrote the story in 1925 - in the era of the height of the construction of socialism, when the heroic time was replaced by harsh everyday life, which became a real test for man. The eternal apartment issue, the devastation not only in houses but also in heads, social changes and the clash of ideals were reflected in the author's bright and merciless satire.

The fate of the work was as unusual as its content: for more than 60 years the story was under a ban and was distributed only in samizdat. Later screen adaptation with Yevgeny Yevstigneev as Professor Preobrazhensky received nationwide recognition and caused a new wave of interest among both readers and theater directors who offered their own versions of the famous text. Valery Zolotukhin's production deservedly occupies a special place among them.

In the center of the plot - a daring scientific experiment of Professor Philip Philipovich Preobrazhensky. As a result of the most complicated operation on pituitary gland transplantation the stray dog Sharik turns into a human being. The sensational discovery brings the professor worldwide fame, but the triumph is short-lived. Very soon it becomes obvious that Sharik's transformation into citizen Polygraph Poligrafovich Sharikov casts doubt on the very possibility of creating a "high mental personality".

The play conveys Bulgakov's famous satire with surprising grace and conviction, preserving its poignancy, humor and philosophical depth. The audience is waiting for a bright, atmospheric and emotional immersion into the world of one of the greatest works of the XX century.

Starring:

Igor Khalizov - as Professor Preobrazhensky, theater and film actor, director, known for the films "The Return of Mukhtar", "On Different Shores", "Dissident", as well as for the role of Voland in the play "The Master and Margarita"

Leonid Greenberg as Sharikov, theater and film actor, star of Broadway musicals.

Boris Bogdanov as Bormental, actor of the Narva theater "Ilmarine", known for the films "What Men Talk About", "Anka from Moldovanka", "Balabol".

Valentin Melnik as Shvonder, theater and film actor ("The Return of Mukhtar", "Merry Quarter", "Supercops", "Defectives").

Also in the play are engaged:
Elizabeth Swan,
Anastasia Grishchuk,
Alexei Avramenko.

Duration: 2 hours with intermission.