Naturalism in Russia and the Creation of the Moscow Art...

The earliest of the modern theatre movement was naturalism. Russia lagged behind the rest of Europe, as far as theatre was concerned. That point was proven when the Meiningen Players performed in Russia. The Meiningen Players created not only a set, but also an environment in which they are a part of (Gascoigne 265). Russian producers saw, first hand, how far behind they were. The Imperial Theatre system spent most of its resources on opera and ballet while neglecting legitimate theatre. Most of the administrative staff was composed of government appointees who had little or no interest of theatrical production. There was no effort to harmonize sets and costumes to create a unified impression (Londre 359). This changed, however,†¦show more content†¦The theatre had a repertoire of plays with such playwrights as Sophocles, Shakespeare, Tolstoy, Shakespeare, Ibsen and reluctantly Anton Chekov (Londre 361). Anton Chekov rose from poverty to study medicine at the Univers ity of Moscow while supporting himself and his family. Chekov initially gained fame as the author of short stories while at the same time opening a medical practice. He began to write one-act farces, but after writing a full-length that was rejected by the Alexandry Theatre, Chekov vowed to write only trifles from then on. However, he wrote another full-length play, The Seagull, which was chosen to be performed at the Alexandry Theatre for a benefit without first being read. Theatre patrons filled the theatre expecting to see a comedy, instead seeing a play that was unrehearsed and poorly performed. Audience members soon showed their displeasure and the play was a flop. Chekov left St. Petersburg and promised he would never write a play to be produced again (361). Neimirovich-Danchenko was an admirer of Chekov s work and felt The Seagull would be perfect for the Moscow Art Theatre, though Stanislavsky was not sure. Chekov initially turned down a meeting with Neimirovich-Danch enko, but agreed after a second invitation and reluctantly agreed to allow them to stage the play. The Seagull opened at the Moscow Art Theatre in 1898. The audience was won over by the simplicity and truthfulness of the acting and the poignancy in the relationshipsShow MoreRelatedLangston Hughes Research Paper25309 Words   |  102 Pagesfourteen-year-old Langston alone in a rented room in Cleveland. Central High School became a safe haven for Langston. Although few black students attended, very little racial prejudice existed. Langston especially enjoyed classes in graphic and applied arts, taught by Clara Dieke, a young teacher who insisted that her students stick to a thing until it is done. In addition to academic classes, Langston lettered in track and field events. Langston became best friends with Sartur Andrzejewski, theRead MoreMetz Film Language a Semiotics of the Cinema PDF100902 Words   |  316 Pagesbe said about film in general. And certainly the criticism of films—or, better yet, their analysis—is an enterprise of utmost importance: it is the film-makers who create the art of the cinema; it is through reflection on those individual films we have liked (or those we have disliked) that we have gained insights into the art of the film in general. Still, there are other approaches. Cinema is a vast subject, and there are more ways than one to enter it. Taken as a whole, it is first of all a fact