Real and Phantom Pains. An Anthology of New Russian Drama

The plays selected for this anthology reflect the issues and styles typical of the new wave of dramatic writing in Russia. New drama flourished (almost) exclusively in small spaces, often in dingy basements that employed and accommodated small numbers of people. The big theaters largely turned a blind eye to what was happening on small stages and in backrooms in playhouses, libraries and community centers in a few chosen hot spots around Russia - primarily Moscow, Yekaterinburg and Togliatti. In many cases, they took actively hostile stances toward it. This would change, however. And by the beginning of the century& 39;s second decade, new drama was threatening to become a mainstream phenomenon. Not every theater staged plays associated with new drama, but almost every one began staging plays influenced by the themes, methods and language of the new drama movement.& 34;Few people know more about what is happening on the Moscow scene than John Freedman (including few Russians). As Moscow Times theater critic throughout the post-Soviet period John could well have seen more theatrical productions in Russia than anyone else. I can& 39;t imagine anyone who would do a better job.& 34;?Blair A. Ruble, Director, Program on Global Sustainability& Resilience, Woodrow Wilson Center.& 34;The relevance of this anthology is not limited to art or the Fine Arts. New Drama has an implicit politics that should be of interest to political scientists, social historians, and cultural anthro...