Arlekin Returns to Boston with Bold New Production 'DELIRIUM'

Fresh from international acclaim and the award-winning success of Our Class, the visionary Arlekin Players Theatre is returning to the Boston stage this summer. Their latest production, DELIRIUM, a bold new adaptation of Eugène Ionesco’s Frenzy for Two, is set to run from June 18 through July 2, 2026, at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA.

Adapted and directed by the inventive Igor Golyak, Delirium marks a high-stakes return for the company. The production features two of the world's most celebrated international stars, Andrey Burkovskiy and Chulpan Khamatova, in a performance that explores the "fragile architecture of reality."

A Story of Survival and Absurdity

In Delirium, a couple remains locked in an endless, looping argument while the world outside their door descends into absolute chaos. As the lines between what is real and what is delusion begin to blur, Khamatova (“Her”) and Burkovskiy (“Him”) navigate a space where conflict is the only remaining form of connection.

What starts as a classic absurdist comedy eventually reveals a poignant, deeper truth: two people fighting not out of malice, but for each other’s continued existence in a crumbling world.

Award-Winning Pedigree

Director Igor Golyak has become one of the most sought-after voices in international theater. This production reunites him with the same international design team behind Our Class, which recently swept the industry awards, winning:

• Lucille Lortel Award for Best Revival and Best Director.
• Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Visiting Play and Outstanding Performance (Khamatova).

“Andrey and Chulpan remind us that identity is not what you lose when you leave home, but what you discover you can create anywhere,” says Golyak.

Art Reflecting Reality

Both Burkovskiy and Khamatova bring a unique urgency to their roles. Having both left Russia following recent political upheaval, their performances are infused with the lived experience of displacement and exile. For Arlekin, a company comprised of immigrant artists, Delirium is more than just a play; it is a reflection of the present global moment.

Producers Craig Balsam, Patrick Catullo, and Thomas M. Neff—the veteran New York team behind hits like Hadestown and American Utopia—expressed their excitement for the collaboration: "As admirers of Igor’s singular creative voice, we are excited to work with Arlekin to bring Delirium, Igor’s follow-up to his award-winning Our Class, to the stage."

Performance Details & Tickets

Don't miss this strictly limited engagement of what critics are calling theater shaped by urgency.

• Dates: June 18 – July 2, 2026
• Location: Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA, Boston, MA
• Tickets: On sale now at BostonTheaterScene.com
• More Information: Visit ArlekinPlayers.com

Production Credits:

• Adapted/Directed by: Igor Golyak
• Producer: Nick Schwartz-Hall
• Scenic Design: Jan Pappelbaum
• Costume Design: Sasha Ageeva
• Lighting Design: Jeff Adelberg
• Music Composed by: Anna Drubich