The crisis of stage action and director’s technique of Lev Dodin

Abstract

The term “action” — is the main term of stage methodology. Having deeply influenced theatrical practices of the 20th century, the “action” approach still remains the main tool in actor and director’s profession. At the same time, the concept of “action” presents a methodological problem. Moreover it proves to stimulate acute interest, as this term seems to be the most controversial and provokes various attitudes, assessments and approaches. In general it is clear that the methodology of stage action is faced with crisis. The most balanced, serious and much promising dialogue on the issue of “action” is offered us today by the practices of Lev Dodin. This article is devoted to assess his contribution to overcome “crisis of actions”. The article is based on the books, published in the recent time by Lev Dodin, as well as on the recordings of the rehearsals by Lev Dodin, which since 1997 the author of the article has been regularly visiting at Saint-Petersburg State Academic Maly Drama Theatre — Theatre of Europe.

Keywords:

alive theatre, stage methodology, scenic асtion, crisis of actions, director, direction, director’s methodology, actor’s methodology, the method of action’s analysis, etude method, sketch, sample, role, role-lining-analogy