A journey through theatre history
From ancient rituals and the birth of Greek theatre through Roman spectacle, medieval performance, commedia dell’arte, Shakespeare, and Classicism. Readers see how the director became the creator of a theatrical universe, and how twentieth-century artists changed acting, scenery, and the bond between stage and audience.
The book also goes backstage
Actors alone don’t make a performance. Young readers meet directors, designers, scenery builders, costumers, and lighting and sound artists — an introduction-to-careers thread woven through the history.
Eight eras, one stage
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“Several parents say their children took a new interest in theatre after reading it, noticing details in productions they hadn’t before.”— reader feedback
Petr Vorotyntsev
University lecturer and author of numerous books and articles on the history of theatre and cinema. Specializes in the history of musical theatre (opera), world theatre direction, and the culture of Czechia and Italy.
Alisa Yufa
Artist and illustrator, best known for atmospheric, ironic, and highly recognizable illustrations for children’s and YA books, as well as painterly sketches of contemporary urban life — St. Petersburg above all. Her paintings and graphic work are regularly shown at solo and group exhibitions in Russia and abroad.
Dmitry Mendeleev & Nikolai Makkaveev
Content review