March 2, 2026

Dramatist, founder of "Kolyada-Theater" Nikolai Kolyada has died

Photo: Nikolai Kolyada / "VKontakte". In Yekaterinburg, actor and playwright, founder of "Kolyada-Theater" Nikolai Kolyada died at the age of 68. This was reported on the theater's social networks. As E1.RU notes, on February 25, Kolyada was hospitalized in one of Yekaterinburg's hospitals. He was placed in intensive care, put into a medically induced coma, and connected to a ventilator. According to the playwright's sister, he was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia. "Kolyada-Theater" actor Oleg Yagodin said that the playwright had previously run away from the hospital to finish work on the play "Orpheus Descends into Hell." The premiere of the production will take place today, March 2. "Seven days ago, Nikolai Vladimirovich arrived by ambulance, ran away from the hospital, returned and finished this play. We didn't do anything, we didn't touch anything. Six days ago, he was taken to intensive care, we rehearsed ourselves. Tonight is the premiere, tomorrow is the premiere. We continue to work," Yagodin shared. Nikolai Kolyada is a Soviet and Russian playwright, actor, and theater director. He began working as a theater actor at the age of 17. Over his entire career, he wrote over 120 plays and directed over 60 productions. In 2003, he was awarded the title "Honored Artist of the Russian Federation." In 2023, Kolyada founded the private "Kolyada-Theater" in Yekaterinburg and became its artistic director.