Migrating Modernist Performance British Theatrical Travels Through Russia

“This book promises to extend significantly the history of British and Russian cultural exchange, spanning theatre, film and dance and extending the parameters of modernist studies and performance studies. Primary sources, archival sources and secondary, critical sources are woven together expertly and with vibrancy. Recommended reading for all Russophiles working in theatre, performance and modernism.” - Jonathan Pitches, Chair in Theatre and Performance, University of Leeds, UK

Exploring the experiences of early to mid-twentieth century British theatre-makers in Russia, this book imagines how these travellers interpreted Russian realism, symbolism, constructivism, agitprop, pageantry, dance or cinema.

With some searching for an alternative to the corporate West End, some for experimental techniques and others still for methods that might politically inspire their audiences, did these journeys make any differences to their practice? And how did distinctly Russian techniques affect British theatre history?

Migrating Modernist Performance seeks to answer these questions, reimagining the experiences and creative output of a range of, often under-researched, practitioners. What emerges is a dynamic collection of performances that bridge geographical, aesthetic, chronological and political divides.