After Vysotsky's death in 1980, all of Lyubimov's productions were banned by the Communist authorities. In 1984, he was stripped of Soviet citizenship. Thereupon Lyubimov worked abroad before returning to the Taganka Theatre in 1989. While in the West he maintained a busy directing career. In the US he directed "Crime and Punishment" at Arena Stage and "Lulu" at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. In 1983 he directed "Crime and Punishment" in London, winning the Evening Standard Award for Best Director.