176 Pages
    by Routledge

    176 Pages
    by Routledge

    Vsevolod Meyerhold considers the life and work of the extraordinary twentieth-century director and theatre-maker. This compact, well-illustrated volume includes:

    • a biographical introduction to Meyerhold’s life
    • a clear explanation of his theoretical writings
    • an analysis of his masterpiece production Revisor, or The Government Inspector
    • a comprehensive and usable description of the ‘biomechanical’ exercises he developed for training the actor.

    As a first step towards critical understanding, and as an initial exploration before going on to further, primary research, Routledge Performance Practitioners offer unbeatable value for today's student.

    1. A LIFE OF CONTRADICTIONS
    2. Apprenticeship (1874–1905)

      St Petersburg (1906–17)

      Meyerhold and the Revolution (1917–22)

      The Meyerhold Theatre (1922–31)

      The death of Meyerhold and his theatre (1932–40) 

      Meyerhold today

    3. MEYERHOLD’S KEY WRITINGS
    4. Don’t (always) believe what you read! 

      The key theoretical principles

      Naturalism

      Stylisation

      Rhythm and music

      The mask

      The grotesque

      Biomechanics and the actor of the future

      Chaplin and Eisenstein: a theory of montage  

       

    5. MEYERHOLD’S KEY PRODUCTION: THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR
    6. Gogol’s challenge

      Meyerhold’s response

      Nikolai Gogol: the comet

      Gogol’s Government Inspector

      Meyerhold’s Government Inspector

    7. PRACTICAL EXERCISES

    Practice: the living link with Meyerhold

    So what are the basic skills of a biomechanical actor?

    The exercises

    Skills-based exercises 

    Back to the basic skills

    Improvisation exercises

    Work on text

    Conclusions

    Bibliography

    Books and articles 

    Films and videos

    Index

    Biography

    Jonathan Pitches is Professor of Theatre and Performance at the University of Leeds in the School of Performance and Cultural Industries. He is founding co-editor of the journal  Theatre, Dance and Performance Training.

    'Pitches' skill ... is impressive.'

    Aleks Sierz, The Times Higher Education Supplement

    'A useful entry point.'

    Theatre Research International