Chagall and the Artists of the Russian Jewish Theater

Shortly after the Bolshevik Revolution, Soviet Jewish theatres became catalysts for modernist experimentation. Working with avant-garde playwrights, actors and producers in a new political environment, artists such as Marc Chagall, Natan Altman, Robert Falk, and Aleksandr Tyshler combined Russian folk art with elements of Cubo-Futurism and Constructivism into a bold new style. This collaboration gave rise to extraordinary productions with highly original stage designs that redefined the concept of theatre itself. From the Jewish mythical and folkloric plays produced at Habima to the daring, expressionistic Yiddish dramas presented at the Moscow State Yiddish Theatre (GOSET), this beautifully illustrated book chronicles the flourishing of Soviet Jewish theatre in the 1920s and 1930s. Spanning such topics as Jewish culture and history in the Soviet Union, the volume includes stunning reproductions of Chagall's celebrated murals; fascinating archival materials such as posters, prints, and playbills; designs for costumes and sets; and many other breathtaking works.