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5.0 out of 5 stars
Crossroads of 20th century theatre, June 8, 2003
This review is from: Gordon Craig's Moscow Hamlet: A Reconstruction (Contributions in Drama and Theatre Studies) (Hardcover)
The "Hamlet" that Edward Gordon Craig directed in tandem with Konstantin Stanislavsky at the Moscow Art Theatre has taken on mythic status in theatre studies in the West.
In this fascinating study, Laurence Senelick shows what went into the making of this event. The author makes extensive use of various previously untapped Russian sources and reveals the conflicts, both personal and artistic, underlying the mixed success of this epoch-making production. The goings-on behind the scenes turn out to be at least as dramatic as the action on stage! Especially the story of Craig's assistant and interpreter Suler(zhitsky) is very poignant. The book provides a very detailed description of the eventual production with the famous screens and describes its impact.
In his "Hamlet", Gordon Craig aimed to create a highly personal, almost hermetic symbolist drama. Stanislavsky directed the actors on the basis of what he believed Craig's wishes to be -- and this at a time when he was still feeling his way towards his "method", which was much more naturalistic. Perhaps their approaches could never be reconciled, but at least they made this valiant attempt...
Subsequently, both men proved to be seminal forces in 20th century theatre: Craig became the prophet of the director as the pivotal figure in stage production, three-dimensional and abstract set design, and proper stage lighting (instead of shadows painted on canvas backdrops). He also helped to get theatre history off the ground as a respectable occupation. Stanislavsky needs no introduction, of course.
This study is essential reading for anyone interested in the grass roots of 20th century theatre. Moreover, this is no dessicated academic study. In places, it's as entertaining as a Robertson Davies novel.
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