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Russian drama -- Translations into English Books
Best books
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov
The Sea-Gull
"The Sea-Gull" by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov is a play written in 1895. Four characters clash over art and love at a country estate: a fading actress, her aspiring playwright son, a famous writer, and a young woman who dreams of the stage. Romantic entanglements intertwine with artistic ambitions as characters speak in subtext rather than direct declarations. The opening night in 1896 was a notorious disaster, but a later production became a triumph that transformed Russian theatre forever.
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov
Plays by Anton Chekhov, Second Series
"Plays by Anton Chekhov, Second Series" by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov is a collection of dramatic works created during the late 19th century, showcasing the unique style and depth of one of Russia's most celebrated playwrights. This volume includes several notable plays such as "The Bear," "The Proposal," and "The Cherry Orchard," among others. The overarching themes of his works often revolve around the complexities of human relationships, social issues, and the often absurd nature of everyday life, providing insights into the characters' struggles and desires. The opening portion of the collection features a detailed introduction by the translator, Julius West, who discusses the significance of Chekhov's contributions to theatre. It outlines Chekhov's evolution as a playwright, highlighting how his early works laid the foundation for the deep psychological character studies and subtle humor found in his later plays. In particular, the introduction mentions the dramatic study "On the High Road," where characters like Tihon, a bar proprietor, and Bortsov, a troubled landowner, navigate themes of despair and addiction within a tense atmosphere. It sets the stage for the exploration of complex character dynamics, paving the way for the exploration of social issues and human emotional depth that Chekhov is renowned for.
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov
Uncle Vanya: Scenes from Country Life in Four Acts
"Uncle Vanya: Scenes from Country Life in Four Acts" by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov is a play first published in 1897. When an elderly professor and his beautiful young wife visit a rural estate, two men fall under her spell while confronting their provincial disappointments. The estate manager Vanya has sacrificed years supporting the professor's career, while his niece Sonya harbors unspoken feelings for the local doctor. Crisis erupts when the professor announces plans to sell the estate—their home—threatening to upend their carefully managed existence.
Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol
The Inspector-General
"The Inspector-General" by Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol is a classic comedy written in the early 19th century, often hailed as one of the greatest works of Russian literature. The play centers around the character of Ivan Aleksandrovich Khlestakov, a low-level government clerk who becomes mistakenly identified as a high-ranking inspector by the corrupt officials of a small provincial town. The narrative seamlessly blends humor with sharp social commentary, exploring themes of bureaucracy, corruption, and the absurdity of human behavior. At the start of the play, the Governor and various officials are thrown into a state of panic when they learn that an Inspector-General is coming to their town incognito. Fearing exposure of their corruption and incompetence, they start making frantic preparations to present a façade of efficiency and proper conduct. In the midst of this chaos, Khlestakov arrives at the inn, and a series of misunderstandings leads the officials to believe he is the inspector. As they fawn over him and try to impress, Khlestakov—who is only scraping by himself—becomes embroiled in the absurdity of their grandiose attempts to placate him, setting the stage for a hilarious critique of power dynamics and societal pretensions.
Maksim Gorky
The Lower Depths: A Drama in Four Acts
"The Lower Depths: A Drama in Four Acts" by Maksim Gorky is a play written in 1902. Set in a squalid homeless shelter near the Volga, it portrays impoverished Russians clinging to illusions amid brutal reality. When a wandering pilgrim arrives offering hope and comforting lies, tensions escalate among the residents—including a young thief, a dying woman, and a jealous landlady. Their desperation erupts into violence, forcing each character to confront the harsh truths they've desperately avoided.
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov
Ivanoff: A Play
"Ivanoff: A Play" by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov is a four-act drama first performed in 1887. Nikolai Ivanov, a debt-ridden government official, struggles with melancholy as his marriage crumbles and his tuberculosis-stricken wife unknowingly approaches death. When he becomes entangled with Sasha, his creditor's young daughter, a web of accusations about his motives begins to tighten. Chekhov's drama explores internal conflicts and moral judgment, building toward a shocking climax that questions whether redemption is possible for a man who has lost his appetite for life.
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov
Swan Song
"Swan Song" by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov is a one-act play written during the late 19th century, specifically in the transitional period of Russian literature. This poignant work delves into themes of aging, loneliness, and the existential weight of a life spent in the pursuit of artistic acclaim, encapsulating the struggles of an aging actor coming to terms with his past and his mortality. Chekhov, celebrated for his insight into the human condition, weaves a narrative that portrays the melancholy yet humorous reality of a life spent on stage. The play centers around Vasili Svetlovidoff, a 68-year-old comedian who finds himself alone in an empty theater after a performance dedicated to him. As he reflects on his life, he is consumed by feelings of regret and nostalgia, recalling his youthful exuberance and past artistic successes. Joined by Nikita Ivanitch, an old prompter, Svetlovidoff's melancholic musings shift between moments of revelry and despair, revealing his isolation and the fleeting nature of fame. Through their interactions, the play contrasts the vibrancy of the actor's once-celebrated talent with the stark realities of aging and forgotten glory, ultimately leaving audiences to ponder life's transitory nature and the quest for meaningful connections amidst the ravages of time.
Aleksandr Nikolaevich Ostrovsky
The Storm
"The Storm" by Aleksandr Nikolaevich Ostrovsky is a drama written in 1859. Set against the backdrop of the Russian merchant class, this five-act play sparked fierce moral debate upon its premiere. The work centers on a character named Katerina, whose story divided critics and audiences alike. Some praised the "elemental poetic force" of her passionate nature, while others condemned the play's controversial scenes. Despite critical controversy, it achieved tremendous box office success and inspired numerous musical adaptations, including Janáček's opera "Káťa Kabanová."
Leo Tolstoy
Redemption and two other plays
"Redemption and two other plays" by Leo Tolstoy is a collection of plays written around 1900. The central work follows Fedor Protasov, a man tormented by doubts about his wife's love, who abandons his life but lacks the courage to end it. As he descends through increasingly desperate circumstances, his wife remarries, believing him dead. When Protasov resurfaces, she faces bigamy charges and exile, forcing him toward a final, tragic choice that reveals where her heart truly lay all along.
Leonid Andreyev
He Who Gets Slapped: A Play in Four Acts
"He Who Gets Slapped: A Play in Four Acts" by Leonid Andreyev is a play written in the early 20th century. The narrative revolves around the character known as "He," who has chosen to assume a clown's life in a circus after experiencing deep personal sorrow and disillusionment. The play delves into themes of identity, societal ridicule, and existential angst, revealing the dichotomy between outward appearances and inner turmoil. The opening of the play introduces us to the circus setting, populated by various characters including the clowns Tilly and Polly, the manager Briquet, and Count Mancini, Consuelo's father. As a rehearsal for the evening performance unfolds, we witness the interactions that highlight the tensions and aspirations of the characters, particularly Mancini's manipulative nature towards Consuelo, the Bareback Tango Queen. Meanwhile, "He," the new clown, exhibits a blend of humor and sadness, struggling with his identity after losing his previous life. This initial act sets the stage for an exploration of the complexities of love, ambition, and the sometimes harsh realities of existence within the circus environment.
Leo Tolstoy
The Power of Darkness
"The Power of Darkness" by graf Leo Tolstoy is a five-act drama written in 1886. This dark peasant tragedy follows Nikita, a farmhand who embarks on a path of moral destruction through seduction, adultery, and conspiracy to murder. As his crimes multiply and entangle his family, the weight of his actions builds toward a devastating reckoning. Banned in Russia until 1902, this unflinching portrayal of sin and conscience became a landmark of naturalistic theater across Europe and America.
Leonid Andreyev
The Life of Man: A Play in Five Acts
"The Life of Man: A Play in Five Acts" by Leonid Andreyev is a symbolist drama written in 1906. This allegorical work follows Man's journey from birth to death, watched by the mysterious Someone in Grey—a symbol of both an indifferent God and the human mind. Moving through a grey world, Man experiences poverty, wealth, and ruin, struggling blindly against incomprehensible forces. The play explores the meaning of human existence and the tragic futility of life's struggles, presented through abstract characters and stylized scenes.
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