Overview

Despite constant hindrance from government interference and control, the Russian theater has produced many memorable playwrights, schools of thought, and plays, whose influence can be seen throughout the world. Nikolai Gogol''s The Inspector, Maksim Gor'kii's The Lower Depths, and Anton Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard remain staples of repertories in every language. The ideas of Konstantin Stanislavskii, Vsevolod Meierkhol'd, and Mikhail Chekhov continue to inspire actors and directors, and designers still draw on the graphics of the World of Art group and the Constructivists. The Historical Dictionary of Russian Theater is the only reference work in English devoted exclusively to Russian theater and drama. It provides information on the popular plays and playwrights while also offering information on many persons, works, and phenomena omitted from standard encyclopedias. Through the use of a chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, an appendix, and hundreds of cross-referenced dictionary entries on directors, stage designers, actors, plays, playwrights, concepts, theater buildings, and troupes, this reference provides an unrivaled account of Russian theater.

Full Product Details

9780810857926

Table of Contents

Reviews

...a most welcome addition to the small number of English references work on Russian theater. * American Reference Books Annual, March 2008 * Senelick's wit and learning make this dictionary hard to put down....With the dictionary, bibliography, and convenient and compendious list of play titles, Senelick performs a real service in this genial reference book. * The Russian Review * Laurence Senelick is supremely qualified to compile this historical dictionary. The result, authoritative and astute in its selection of details (including a wonderful bibliography), is up to the moment in its coverage. -- Don B. Wilmeth, Editor, Palgrave Studies in Theatre and Performance History This splendid volume is destined to find pride of place on the desks of many scholars interested in Russian theatre. With his usual panache and energy Laurence Senelick has filled another massive gap in the tools we need to understand Russian theatre and popularize it in the English-speaking world.... A very handy reference.... Heartily recommended. -- J. Douglas Clayton * Canadian Slavonic Papers, September-December 2008, Vol L, No 3-4 * Senelick (drama and oratory, Tufts U., Massachusetts) writes for students and general readers who do not know Russian, though she hopes specialists will find some useful information as well. She focuses on the dramatic stage, mentioning opera, ballet, and film only when the careers of actors, designers, and directors she describes wander into such genre. Her emphasis is on theater within the borders of the Russian Federal Republic during the Soviet era, but she does consider Ukrainian, Georgian, Armenian, Baltic, and Jewish figures who played major roles in it as well as figures who became prominent after they left Russia. In addition to people, she cites theaters, movements, and plays. * Reference and Research Book News, May 2007 *

...a most welcome addition to the small number of English references work on Russian theater. American Reference Books Annual, March 2008 Senelick's wit and learning make this dictionary hard to put down...With the dictionary, bibliography, and convenient and compendious list of play titles, Senelick performs a real service in this genial reference book. The Russian Review Laurence Senelick is supremely qualified to compile this historical dictionary. The result, authoritative and astute in its selection of details (including a wonderful bibliography), is up to the moment in its coverage. -- Don B. Wilmeth, Editor, Palgrave Studies in Theatre and Performance History This splendid volume is destined to find pride of place on the desks of many scholars interested in Russian theatre. With his usual panache and energy Laurence Senelick has filled another massive gap in the tools we need to understand Russian theatre and popularize it in the English-speaking world... A very handy reference... Heartily recommended. -- J. Douglas Clayton Canadian Slavonic Papers, September-December 2008, Vol L, No 3-4 Senelick (drama and oratory, Tufts U., Massachusetts) writes for students and general readers who do not know Russian, though she hopes specialists will find some useful information as well. She focuses on the dramatic stage, mentioning opera, ballet, and film only when the careers of actors, designers, and directors she describes wander into such genre. Her emphasis is on theater within the borders of the Russian Federal Republic during the Soviet era, but she does consider Ukrainian, Georgian, Armenian, Baltic, and Jewish figures who played major roles in it as well as figures who became prominent after they left Russia. In addition to people, she cites theaters, movements, and plays. Reference and Research Book News, May 2007

...a most welcome addition to the small number of English references work on Russian theater. Arba, March 2008 Senelick's wit and learning make this dictionary hard to put down...With the dictionary, bibliography, and convenient and compendious list of play titles, Senelick performs a real service in this genial reference book. The Russian Review Laurence Senelick is supremely qualified to compile this historical dictionary. The result, authoritative and astute in its selection of details (including a wonderful bibliography), is up to the moment in its coverage. -- Don B. Wilmeth, Editor This splendid volume is destined to find pride of place on the desks of many scholars interested in Russian theatre. With his usual panache and energy Laurence Senelick has filled another massive gap in the tools we need to understand Russian theatre and popularize it in the English-speaking world... A very handy reference... Heartily recommended. -- J. Douglas Clayton Canadian Slavonic Papers, September-December 2008, Vol L, No 3-4 Senelick (drama and oratory, Tufts U., Massachusetts) writes for students and general readers who do not know Russian, though she hopes specialists will find some useful information as well. She focuses on the dramatic stage, mentioning opera, ballet, and film only when the careers of actors, designers, and directors she describes wander into such genre. Her emphasis is on theater within the borders of the Russian Federal Republic during the Soviet era, but she does consider Ukrainian, Georgian, Armenian, Baltic, and Jewish figures who played major roles in it as well as figures who became prominent after they left Russia. In addition to people, she cites theaters, movements, and plays. Reference and Research Book News, May 2007

Laurence Senelick is supremely qualified to compile this historical dictionary. The result, authoritative and astute in its selection of details (including a wonderful bibliography), is up to the moment in its coverage.--Don B. Wilmeth, Editor

Author Information

Laurence Senelick is the Fletcher Professor of Drama and Oratory at Tufts University.

Tab Content 6

Countries Available