The evolution of modern theatrical production

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Background. Theater is a popular and beloved art form by many. Today theater is a multi-genre with a diverse range of new technologies that give unlimited opportunities and freedom to choose and create means of expression. However, the idea, deep meaningful content and drama remain the essence in a theatrical performance. Since a great amount of renowned dramatic material is written in a foreign language, it is highly advisable to study the literary work in the original when possible. The subject of our research was dramatic material written in English as regards to its language peculiarities and nuances of their rendering in Russian. A lot of researchers have pointed out some specific features of dramatic works such as expressiveness of dialogues, characters’ direct speech [1, 2]. Pun, epithets, metaphors and other devices as well as humor and author’s style present a challenge for a translator and a theatre director. Another significant aspect in staging foreign drama is taking into consideration historical context. A director needs to understand the linguistic and cultural differences.

Proper understanding of the material during the production makes it possible to stage the wit, brightness, and artistic peculiarities of the original text successfully. Our experiment focused on production of a play written in English with prior studying the play in the original.

Aim. To stage a play written in English preceded by studying the drama material in the original with the focus on its linguistic means of expressiveness.

Methods. The first stage of the experiment was analysis of literary sources dedicated to theoretical and practical issues of theatre art, mastery of the theatre director as well as aspects of translation of dramatic texts. The second stage involved a short survey conducted among the first and second year students and lecturers of the Department of Directing Theatrical Performances and Holidays of Samara State Institute of Culture. The questionnaire included 10 questions concerning directing and staging foreign dramas and benefits of prior studying such works in the original.

Results. Following the theoretical analysis of different Russian and foreign researches regarding drama techniques, mastery of theatre director [3–6], peculiarities of rendering foreign plays in Russian as well as the survey conducted at the Department, a comedy «The Chinese» by Michael Frayn was chosen for staging. After the performance another survey was held among the participants and viewers concerning the dramatic value, expectations and the mastery of direction.

Conclusions. The theater is a living evolving genre. However, technical advances and creative innovations cannot substitute the content, historical and cultural context and the language peculiarities of a play. Hence, special attention should be paid to understanding the language, culture and humor when staging a literary dramatic work written in a foreign language.

作者简介

Samara State Institute of Culture

编辑信件的主要联系方式.
Email: alenacaryapkina@mail.ru

student, group 122, Directing of Theatre Performances and Holidays

俄罗斯联邦, Samara

Samara State Institute of Culture

Email: natvm@rambler.ru

assistant professor of Department of Culturology, Museum and Art Studies

俄罗斯联邦, Samara

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