Meyerhold's Thoughts on Performance in the Theatre

Abstract

This article examines the formation and evolution of Russian director Weswald Meyerhold's performance theories and ideas in the first half of the 20th century.The Moscow Art Theatre, founded by Konstantin Stanislavski and Nemirovich Danchenko at the end of the 19th century, paved the way for new developments in the field of theatre. Also Meyerhold's efforts in recognizing and introducing the performance characteristics and rules of Symbolic Theatre, Static Theatre, Poetic Theatre, Stylization Theatre (Methodist Theatre), as well as his courage in exploring the boundaries and frames of the stage space and using constructivist decoration are mentioned. This article discusses Meyerhold's thoughts and theoretical principles on "Author and Creative Director" and how to apply the principles of dramaturgy on stage as a director. Additionally, the article discusses Meyerhold's views on acting, especially the "Biomechanics" method. Meyerhold brings the stage and the audience together and includes symbolist, grotesque and constructivist elements. The article discusses how Meyerhold utilized Stanislavski's psychological understanding of acting and preserved biomechanical acting, in which physical movement played an important role.