A new anthology of contemporary Russian plays.

[Marc Robinson]

Please find attached a notice of a new book of translations of Russian
plays edited by John Freedman.

I personally have no ties to this publication, but am happy to try to
spread the word about any attempt to make contemporary Russian drama more
accessible.

All the best,
Marc Robinson, Chair
The Department of Russian Language and Area Studies
St. Olaf College
Northfield, MN 55057

Real and Phantom Pains: An Anthology of New Russian Dramaby John Freedman
<http://www.amazon.com/John-Freedman/e/B001JXJ2P6/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1>

The plays selected for this anthology reflect the issues and styles typical
of the new wave of dramatic writing in Russia. New drama flourished
(almost) exclusively in small spaces, often in dingy basements that
employed and accommodated small numbers of people. The big theaters largely
turned a blind eye to what was happening on small stages and in backrooms
in playhouses, libraries and community centers in a few chosen hot spots
around Russia - primarily Moscow, Yekaterinburg and Togliatti. In many
cases, they took actively hostile stances toward it. This would change,
however. And by the beginning of the century's second decade, new drama was
threatening to become a mainstream phenomenon. Not every theater staged
plays associated with new drama, but almost every one began staging plays
influenced by the themes, methods and language of the new drama movement.
"Few people know more about what is happening on the Moscow scene than John
Freedman (including few Russians). As Moscow Times theater critic
throughout the post-Soviet period John could well have seen more theatrical
productions in Russia than anyone else. I can't imagine anyone who would do
a better job." ―Blair A. Ruble, Director, Program on Global Sustainability
& Resilience, Woodrow Wilson Center. "The relevance of this anthology is
not limited to art or the Fine Arts. New Drama has an implicit politics
that should be of interest to political scientists, social historians, and
cultural anthropologists of the post­Soviet period. As Freedman points out
here and elsewhere, the plays provide a 'unique generational perspective'
on Russia after the collapse of communism." ―Caryl Emerson, Professor of
Slavic Languages and Literatures, Princeton University. "While other
existing volumes focus on 18th, 19th, and early 20th century Russian drama,
Freedman's edition would present the unique and important contributions of
the new generation of Russian writers portraying the realities and
experiences of a post-Soviet generation. John has carefully selected a
representative cohort of ten of the most visible, productive, and
influential of these writers for the volume." ―Thomas J. Garza, University
Distinguished Teaching Associate Professor, University of Texas at Austin.
"Real and Phantom Pains would be of great utility for American theater
directors and departments and faculty and students of Russian literature
and culture. The anthology is designed with both sets of reader/users in
mind, the more so because Freedman is not only an excellent
American-English translator of Russian drama, but also a theater
professional, having overseen productions of new Russian dramas in the
United States." ―Beth Holmgren, Professor and Chair, Slavic and Eurasian
Studies, Duke University. "Freedman's anthology of New Russian drama will
be a valuable addition to the marketplace, as so little of Russian drama is
produced in the States. The English translations available are often only
in British English, with enough strange idioms for American ears that make
them less desirable to American theater producers. Having a collection of
excellent New Russian drama available will be welcomed amongst the American
theatrical community." ―Preston Whiteway, Executive Director, The Eugene
O'Neill Theater Center.

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