Russian Theatre is fairly young when compared to the rest of Europe. During Shakespeare’s time, at the beginning of the 17th century, Russian theatre only existed as pagan plays and fables that were too often persecuted by the church. Although the concept didn’t exist until later, audiences had a history of being entertained by travelling performers. Theatre and ballet later started to take shape under a sponsorship of royal families. An imperial theatre was founded by a Lutheran pastor named Gregory during the 17th century reign of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, and from here drama began to take its shape in Russian society.

Lakhon Bassac is a form of theatre with both dialogue and singing that is accompanied by Vietnamese or Chinese influenced music as well as Cambodian music. Western instruments are also used occasionally. The acting is improvised very often, or made up on the spot, distinguishing it from other forms of theatre. Cambodian classical dance gestures and poses are included in the dance scenes. Lakhon Bassac bears very strong Vietnamese and Chinese influences because of the close contact between the countries and Cambodia during French colonial rule. Performances used to last as many as six nights with troupes performing everywhere, all over the country, up until the unrest in Cambodia started in the early 1970s.