On April 15, 1956 a group of Moscow Art Theatre graduates staged the first production of Rozov's "Alive for Ever" under the directorship of Oleg Yefremov. The success of their venture laid the foundation of "Sovremennik" or "Contemporary". In 1957, "Studio of young actors" staged "V poiskax Radosty" ("In search of a Joy") after the piece of Victor Rozov under Oleg Yefremov and Victor Sergachyov production. In 1958, it was officially announced about the foundation of the Theatre-Studio "Sovremennik" with a stage director Oleg Yefremov. In the postwar history, during the years of disclosure of personally cult, it was the first theatre, which was founded by the creative association of the affinity group and managed to remain integral art collective. The creators of "Sovremennik" Theatre – Oleg Yefremov, Galina Volchek, Igor Kvasha, Lilia Tolmachyova, Yevgeniy Yevstegneyev, Oleg Tabakov – were the graduates of Moscow Art Theatre School-Studio. Apart from the work of Soviet dramatists, including a trilogy to mark the 50th anniversary of the Russian Revolution in 1967, the company staged Osborne's "Look Back in Anger" in 1966 and Albee's "The Ballad of the Sad CafÈ" in 1967. After Yefremov moved to the Moscow Art Theatre in 1971 the theatre came under the control of its leading actress Galina Volchek. In a short period Galina Volchek managed to return popularity to the theatre and attract talented actors and authors, including Chingiz Ayitmatov. "Climbing on Fuji" under Galina Volchek production made the world understand that the theatre wouldn’t fall into pieces and would continue to please audience with its outstanding performances. "Sovremennik" won Russian and international recognition. It was the first Russian theatre twice invited to perform "A Steep Route" after Eugenia Ginsburg and A. P. Chekhov’s "The Three Sisters" and "The Cherry Orchard" in Galina Volchek’s performance on Broadway. "Sovremennik" was awarded the national theater prize "Drama desk award".
