"Social Theatre" in Modern Russia: Socio-Cultural Analysis of Art Programs in the Meyerhold Theatre Сentre and Theatre.doc

This research project is focused on the theory and practices of social theatre in modern Russia. This case is relevant in the performance studies context, because the trend of social projects in Russian theatre is becoming more popular. However at first I should integrate a phenomenon of Russian social theatre in international discourse. In the current period abroad this field of studies is well-developed. There are scientific debates about several questions what is “social theatre” as an art or another type of activity? What is the specific aesthetic of social theatre? Social theatre became the subject of analysis and discussions by the leading scientists since 1960s. The backgrounds of such interest can be revealed in Brecht’s theory of political and social theatre which, in general, had been formed in 1930s and then modified in 1950s. At that time there were significant changes of aesthetic paradigms in theatre. Numerous socio-cultural problems as the consequences of the Second World War caused the necessity of revising the old order, including the art. Art took on the role of social rehabilitation. I am going to consider three articles which are played a crucial role in my approach of investigation. Authors apply to the terminological aspects, development of social discourse and specificity of this type of theatre. Their opinions and methods (discourse and critical analysis) are largely similar. However definitions and some details may vary.