On August 30, 2010, a traditional meeting of the Alexandrinsky Theater’s troupe will take place at 11 a.m. Prior to the start of the new 255^th season, the traditional ceremony of wreath laying on the tombs of the two Russian Empresses, whose names are inextricably tied with the history of the Russian theater, will take place at the Peter and Paul Cathedral. Empress Elizabeth’s Highest Order of 1756 had established a “Russian Theater for presenting comedies and tragedies,” while Empress Alexandra Feodorovna (Alexandrina), the spouse of Nickolas I, inaugurated the newly opened theater in 1832, the theater was named Alexandrinsky in her honor. A press-conference dedicated to the opening of the 255^th season and the V International Alexandrinsky Festival will start at 1:30 p.m. at the Tzar’s Lobby. Artistic Director Valery Fokin and Director Oskaras Korshunovas, the first night of whose performance “The Taming of the Shrew” will give start to the Festival on September 14, will take part in the press-conference along with representatives of the Polish, Israeli and French Consulates. The press-conference will be dedicated to the plans, upcoming premieres, and tours of the theater; the festival performances will be also introduceed here: W. Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew;” S. Mrozhek’s “Tango” (Theatre Narodovy, Poland); “The Enemies. A story of Love” by I. Bashevis-Zinger (the Gesher Theater, Tel Aviv); and P. Beaumarchais’s “The Marriage of Figaro” (Comédie Français, Paris).