Universal language of theatre

Juxtaposition of two cultures, Russian and American, became a subject under consideration at an academic and research conference “Dialogues and meetings: Russian and American theatre of XX century”, which took place in Vologda Region Scientific Library 25-26 February 2012. It was organized by an American room of Vologda Region Scientific Library, the author of the project “New American play in Russia” John Freedman, Centre of international theatre development (USA), Vologda State Pedagogical University. Scientists and specialists fr om Moscow, St Petersburg, Yaroslavl and Vologda took part in the conference which was carried with the help of Fullbright program in Russia.

Everyone was congratulated on the opening of the conference by John Etcheverry, cultural and press ambassador of Consulate General of the USA: “We know that both you and we like the classic authors of dramatic art, O’Neil Williams for example: their plays never leave the stages of Russian theatres. But our life is changing and we glad that in Russian theatre world the names of new play writers appear, such as of Anne Baker, Eric Bogosian, Adam Rapp, Susan Park and others. The theme of our conference is quite wide and covers many aspects of theatrical art”.

It is the first John Etcheverry’s time in Vologda. During several days he managed to visit Kremlin, architectural and ethnographical museum Semenkovo and Totma town. The main aim of his visit to Vologda region and Totma in particular is to discuss celebration of 200-anniversary of Fort Ross in august 2012. Moreover, the plans of the US Consulate in St Petersburg include organization of the third festival of American traditional music Bluegrass, within which framework some visiting concerts in Totma will be launched. The ambassador also estimated restoration works on the House of Kopilov, an architectural monument of XIX century, the works were being financed fr om the Grant awarded by the US Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural preservation. John Etcheverry told why Vologda became the place of organization of this scientific conference: “First, we support the initiative. And it was in Vologda wh ere the idea of a conference about American and Russian theatre interaction was born. This is a topic of discussion in many parts of Russia. A big conference which took place last November in St Petersburg was also devoted to it. If the theatres are interested in such work, then we will consider an opportunity of a study trip in America for the managers of the theatres. Last year this project was tried by a group from North-West of Russia, the group included a representative of Vologda Theatre for Children and Youth.”

On the first day of the conference there were made 14 reports, devoted to theatre art and playwriting.

The reports covered different topics. Tatiana Zlotnicova, a professor from culturology department of Yaroslavl State Pedagogical University n.a. K.D.Ushinsky, the director of a scientific and educational center, a doctor in art history, the Russian Federation honored worker of science made a report named “One big The Glass Menagerie: pendulum of Russian and American playwriting influence”. A big interest was also generated by other participants of the conference, who touched different topics: “Russian theatrical school in American theatrical culture”, “Dance as a bridge between continents: Isadora Duncan’s experience”, “Theatre mask phenomenon in culture of Russian symbolism”, “American first night of K.Ginkas “Rotshild’s violin”, “Place of action – New York: modern art- stages”, etc.

The second day opened the section presenting reports of 12 students and post-graduates, devoting to different aspects of theatrical art: “In search for new forms: Russian and American scenic experiences”, “View from the distance: American road tour of Ekaterina Maximova”, “Modern playwriting experiments: Evgeny Grishkovets” and others.

One of the most important events at the conference was presentation of the project “American playwriting: new discoveries”, which was made by St Petersburg State Academy of Theatrical Art and director laboratory “ON. Theatre” in November 2011 in St Petersburg with the help of the US General Consulate. The project – international scientific and practical conference – combined the reports of the leading americanists and American specialists of playwriting with readings of modern plays. It was presented by one of the organizers – dramatic historian Julia Kleiman – a candidate in art’s history, assistant of St Petersburg State Academy of Theatrical Art pro-rector of international contacts. The translations of modern plays read in St Petersburg ( and earlier in Moscow and Omsk) appeared thanks to John Freedman’s – a playwriter, translator and theatrical critic - program “New American play for Russia” . Born in America, he has been living in Moscow since 1988 and writes in “The Moscow Times” about theatre. The aim of his program is to get Russian public and Russian directors acquainted with the plays of modern American playwriters. In America there is a movement acting for development of modern playwriting by giving support to new authors. With the help of such organizations 25 plays were chosen, they were estimated by 7 Russian experts ( theatre critics, directors, playwriters), who speak English freely. Then some of them were adapted by honored modern playwriters - Ivan Viripaev, Michael Durnenkov, Maxim Kurochkin, Yury Klavdiev for instance. As a result they had not just good lineal translations but also ready for stage plays. Within the framework of the conference “American playwriting: new discoveries” all the first plays were read through, including “Last days” by Debora Zoe Laufer, “Talk Radio” by Eric Bogosian, “Nockturne” by Adam Rapp, “Grace’s book” by Susan Lory-Parks. As a result of the conference it was decided to turn the four plays readings into complete performances made by director laboratory “ON. Theatre”. Opening night of one of them – Chuck Mee’s “Big love” staged by Georgy Tsnobiladze – has already taken place. A play “Strangers” of Anny Baker will be staged in St Petersburg as well as in Moscow and Omsk.

Within the framework of this project Vologda also organized readings of two plays: “Last days” by Debora Zoe Laufer was read by Theatre of a Young Actor ( art director – Irina Starostenko), and “Grace’s book” by Suzan Lori Parks was performed by the actors of Vologda State Drama Theatre. Despite short terms, young men and women from Theatre of a Young Actor thoroughly prepared for the event. It was not difficult for them to understand the other culture because most of the things which important for the characters of the play are also significant for Russian young people. The play shows a few days of a modern American family wh ere everyone doesn’t care about the others. The head of the family Arthur Stein (Hasan Tsahilov) is depressed suffering loss of his job, the daughter and the mother Rachel (Yliana Milanina) and Silvia ( Albina Suedova) can’t come to an understanding. Mrs Stein is trying to find rescue in religion, talking to Jesus ( Oleg Krasnogorov) and waiting for the end of days. One day the daughter happens to have an admirer, Nelson Steindek ( Kirill Boldirev), who reunites the family bringing back happiness. Suddenly they understand that the most important thing in the world is well-being of those who you love…

It was interesting for the young people from Theatre of a Young Actor to work with the play and they will be able to stage it if time.

The reading through the play “Grace’s book” written by Suzan Lori Parks, one of the most popular playwriters of modern America, took place on the second day of the conference in Museum “World of lost things”. The author – winner of many US theatrical prizes. The translation was made by a modern Russian playwriter Yury Klavdiev with the help of Maria Nikolaeva’s lineal translation, by Centre of International Theatre Development within the framework “New American play in Russia” with the support of American Embassy in Russia and American and Russian President’s bilateral committee.

The actors were from Vologda State Drama Theatre: Alexander Sokolov ( Vet), Igor Lomanovitch ( Buddy), Anastasia Zadoriva ( Grace) . The author’s words were said by an actor from St Petersburg Maxim Gudkov, who came to conference with a report about Sandford Meisner’s acting technique. The spectators could plunge into a somber atmosphere of a little town and into a fragile world of the play’s characters, who became the victims of a love triangle.

The conference devoted to the theatrical traditions of Russian and America was taking place in Vologda for the first time. And it showed how universal the theatrical art is: it can reflect common views of the people who live in different countries and on different continents.

Irina Sorokinа