Chekhov and the Vaudeville: A Study of Chekhov's One-Act Plays

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title Chekhov and the Vaudeville: A Study of Chekhov's One-Act Plays
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Vera Gottlieb
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:240
Dimensions(mm): Height 216,Width 140
Category/GenreLiterary studies - general
Literary studies - c 1800 to c 1900
Literary studies - plays and playwrights
ISBN/Barcode 9780521136983
ClassificationsDewey:891.723 891.723
Audience
Professional & Vocational
Illustrations Worked examples or Exercises

Publishing Details

Publisher Cambridge University Press
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publication Date 25 February 2010
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

This book examines the strangely neglected area of Chekhov's one-act plays and the evolution of his comedy techniques. These short pieces, written between 1885 and 1903, reveal many of the comic and distancing effects which are to be found in the major plays. Still frequently performed, they tell us as much about Chekhov's philosophy as his use of theatre, and justify his view of himself as a writer of comedies. Vera Gottlieb describes the playwright's approach to theatre in the light of contemporary Russian traditions: a succinct resume of French comedy and vaudeville on the Russian stage provides the background for an interesting assessment of the degree of innovation in Chekhov's one-act plays. Russian sources have been used extensively, while an appendix includes new translations of two little-known theatre sketches by Chekhov. This 1982 book is a vital addition to criticism of Chekhov and the Russian stage.