Meyerhold, Eisenstein and Biomechanics - by Alma Law (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Russian theater director Vsevolod Meyerhold designed Biomechanics--a system of actor training--shortly after the Russian Revolution. Although not always understood, it received wide attention as a result of Meyerhold's unique position as the foremost Soviet avant-garde director. Meyerhold had students that both perfected and challenged his theories in actor training--including the film director Sergei Eisenstein.

Gathered from private Moscow archives, this is the first book-length study of Meyerhold's stylized training method in practical detail, as well as Eisenstein's theoretical analysis of Biomechanics. The book traces the history and theoretical foundations of Biomechanics and Expressive Movement, with descriptions of the basic biomechanical exercises and etudes. It also includes a glossary of biomechanical terminology and bibliographical information.

Review Quotes

"useful...a helpful sourcebook"-Choice; "the subject of this book is of enormous importance to an understanding of twentieth century Russian and Soviet art, culture and especially theatre...the book will be welcomed by both theatre scholars and practitioners, and especially by those who wish to go beyond the usual actor training syllabus, and engage with something which will challenge and stimulate in equal measure"-Revolutionary Russia; "this is a sourcebook which gathers a wide range of previously unavailable material...Law and Gordon's analysis will make a significant contribution to the ongoing process of re-evaluating the role of Biomechanics in the past as well as in the future"-Theatre Research International; "this panorama illustrates the lasting relationship between Eisenstein and Meyerhold"-International Theatre Informations

About the Author

The late Alma Law was coeditor of Slavic and East European Theater. The late Mel Gordon was a former professor of dramatic art at the University of California at Berkeley.