Theatre in Passing (Book)
A Moscow Photo-Diary
Theatre in Passing explores spaces of performance in contemporary Moscow. Inspired by French philosopher Michel de Certeau’s model of a 'second, poetic geography' in which the walker – the everyday practitioner – invents the space observed by the voyeur, this book takes the reader on a tour of spaces of performance in contemporary Moscow. Through text and photography, the city’s 'theatrical geography' is uncovered, from the Bolshoi Theater in Theater Square to hidden gems like the recently restored Kuskovo estate. With additional sections on street theatre and other public gatherings, Theatre in Passing is a must-read book for anyone curious about the theatrical architecture and geography of Russia’s capital.
Edition
Elena Siemens is associate professor of modern languages and cultural studies at the University of Alberta.
Chapter 2: History as Carnival
A fascinating and unconventional examination of the interrelationships of performance, geography, and everyday life in contemporary Moscow.
The ‘episodic’ nature of the publication allows the reader to dip in and out of random chapters, according to their wish. Particularly charming is the sense of real-ness that is conveyed.