Description
Book SynopsisAmidst the turmoil of political revolution, the stage directors of twentieth-century Russia rewrote the rules of theatre making. From realism to the avant-garde, politics to postmodernism, and revolution to repression, these practitioners shaped perceptions of theatre direction across the world. This edited volume introduces students and practitioners alike to the innovations of Russia's directors, from Konstantin Stanislavsky and Vsevolod Meyerhold to Anatoly Efros, Oleg Efremov and Genrietta Ianovskaia. Strongly practical in its approach,
Russian Theatre in Practice: The Director's Guide equips readers with an understanding of the varying approaches of each director, as well as the opportunity to participate and explore their ideas in practice. The full range of the director's role is covered, including work on text, rehearsal technique, space and proxemics, audience theory and characterization. Each chapter focuses on one director, exploring their historical context, and com
Trade ReviewThe book’s format is very attractive, consisting of bite-sized sections prefaced by bold, indicative headings interspersed with areas of highlighted text containing advice on ways to match acting theory with directorial practice. * Slavonic and East European Review *
This illuminating collection of directorial case studies drawn from Russia’s rich theatrical tradition, promises to challenge contemporary directors forging new careers in theatres much further afield. -- Jonathan Pitches, University of Leeds, UK
Table of ContentsList of illustrations Notes on contributors Note on transliteration and Russian terms Introduction Amy Skinner 1. Innovative Practices: Stanislavsky directs Chekhov and Gorky Maria Shevtsova 2. Meyerhold and the Visual Arts: Creating an Interdisciplinary Mise en Scène Amy Skinner 3. Nina Simonovich-Efimova: Theatre as Sculpture in Motion Dassia Posner 4.Yevgeny Vakhtangov: The Future Head of the Russian Theatre Andrei Malaev-Babel 5. Alexander Tairov: Theatricalizing the Theatre Claire Warden 6. Michael Chekhov: Directing an Actors’ Theatre Tom Cornford 7. Alexandra Remizova: A Dialogue with Time Andrei Malaev-Babel 8. Natalia Sats: A Soviet Life in the Theatre Manon van de Water 9. Mar Sulimov’s School of Directing: A Case Study of the Production Shoo, Death, Shoo! Sergei Tcherkasski 10. Anatoly Efros’ Principles of Acting and Directing: Psychological Truth, Active Analysis, Adaptations-‘Zigzags’, and Thematic Modernity James Thomas 11. Oleg Efremov: The Heir to Stanislavsky Jesse Gardiner 12. Interviews with Genrietta Ianovskaia Manon van de Water Conclusion Amy Skinner Postscript: Where to next? Amy Skinner Bibliography Notes Index
