My Grandson Benjamin
Get together for a heartwarming comedy about love and generational clashes, based on Lyudmila Ulitskaya’s beloved novel, performed in Russian.
At its heart this is a sharp and heartfelt comedy about a resilient matriarch navigating familial bonds and the ever-shifting landscape between tradition and modernity.
With a blend of bold visual storytelling and unforgettable performances, this production offers an emotional journey that is both timeless and deeply relevant.
Hailed by critics and audiences worldwide, it showcases the genius of Ulitskaya, one of the most celebrated voices in modern literature. With works translated into over 50 languages and recipient of numerous prestigious accolades Ulitskaya crafts narratives that resonate universally while reflecting the nuances of identity and memory.
Joining her vision is the incomparable Lia Akhedzhakova, an icon of Russian theatre and film, alongside Olga Grudyaeva, Alexandra Islentyeva and Gleb Romashevsky.
Need to know
This show is performed in Russian without English subtitles.
Lyudmila Ulitskaya playwright
Marfa Gorvits director
Vera Martynov set director
Vladislav Frolov lighting designer
Asaf Faradjev music arrangement
Sonya Levin choreographer
Vsevolod Taran, Veniamin Ilyasov video
Marina Spektor assistant director, costume designer, props manager
Kirill Zayakin, Daniil Erokhin executive producers
Efim Spektor producer
Konstantin Rubtsov technical director
Anton Litvinov lighting
Alexander Sarkisov sound
Alexey Bersenev video
For your visit
This event is held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall Southbank Centre
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is open from 90 minutes before events start until they finish. It’s closed at all other times.
Plan your visit
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is home to both our second-largest auditorium and the Purcell Room.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.