Nikolay Pavlovich Akimov ( – 6 September 1968) was an experimental theatre director and scenic designer noted for his work with the Leningrad Comedy Theatre. His most notorious production was the cynical version of ''

Hamlet ''The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark'', often shortened to ''Hamlet'' (), is a Shakespearean tragedy, tragedy written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599 and 1601. It is Shakespeare's longest play. Set in Denmark, the play (the ...

'' (1932), with

Ophelia Ophelia () is a character in William Shakespeare's drama ''Hamlet'' (1599–1601). She is a young noblewoman of Denmark, the daughter of Polonius, sister of Laertes and potential wife of Prince Hamlet. Due to Hamlet's actions, Ophelia ultima ...

as a drunken prostitute and the king's ghost as a clever mystification arranged by Hamlet. Akimov, who was the Comedy Theater director in 1935-1949 and 1956-1968, wrote several books, among them ''About Theater'' (О театре, 1962) and ''Not Just About Theater'' (Не только о театре, 1966), and was designated a

People's Artist of the USSR People's Artist of the USSR, also sometimes translated as National Artist of the USSR, was an honorary title granted to artists of the Soviet Union. The term is confusingly used to translate two Russian language titles: Народный арти ...

in 1960. Akimov was director of the New Theatre in

Leningrad Saint Petersburg, formerly known as Petrograd and later Leningrad, is the List of cities and towns in Russia by population, second-largest city in Russia after Moscow. It is situated on the Neva, River Neva, at the head of the Gulf of Finland ...

in the early 1950s. The Saint Petersburg Comedy Theatre is named in his honour.Театр комедии откроется после реставрации 21 марта
// '' Kanoner (online newspaper)''

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External links

Page of Nikolay Akimov on the site of Saint Petersburg Comedy Theatre
{{DEFAULTSORT:Akimov, Nikolay 1901 births 1968 deaths Artists from Kharkiv People from Kharkovsky Uyezd Russian scenic designers Soviet theatre directors Vkhutemas alumni People's Artists of the USSR People's Artists of the RSFSR People's Artists of the Tajik SSR Recipients of the Order of the Red Banner of Labour Recipients of the Order of the Red Star