During the conversation, Ilyumzhinov and Polunin discussed the possibility of creating joint projects such as the synthesis of chess and ballet. Ilyumzhinov then offered to implement these projects in London.
The world premiere of the ballet “Rasputin” will be held at the Palladium Theatre on 31 May and 1 June in London as part of Sergey Polunin’s show. Sergey Polunin dances as Rasputin, and Johan Kobborg as Prince Yusupov. Elena Ilinykh (Olympic champion and bronze medallist of Sochi 2014) plays Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. The ballet costumes were created by Russian designer Ulyana Sergeenko.
The ballet "Rasputin" was staged by the Japanese choreographer Yuka Oishi. “This is a story about a man with incredible charisma, power and authority,” said Yuka Oishi on Instagram: “Some considered Rasputin a saint and mystic, others thought he was the devil. I think that people never are just good and bad: looking at black and white archive photos, I tried to imagine what these heroes really were in life, in colour.” Music for the ballet was written by composer Kirill Richter. Interestingly, the entire ballet takes place on a stage decorated as a chessboard.
Kirsan Nikolaevich received an invitation to visit the play as an honoured guest.