Home | Performing Arts/Theater

The New Theatre of the Baltics
From Soviet to Western Influence in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
Jeff Johnson
Foreword by Daniel Gerould

ISBN 978-0-7864-2992-9
35 photos, notes, bibliography, index
232pp. softcover 2007

Description
Although Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are culturally distinct, they share a common theatre history characterized by resistance, first as a response to Nazi occupation, then as an ideological weapon countering their annexation under strict Soviet ideology.

This comprehensive overview of contemporary theatre in the Baltic states includes interviews with major directors, writers, academics and critics, critiques of significant performances, and historical information to familiarize readers with the region. It not only discusses the political ramifications of the three countries’ transition from occupied Soviet states to independent members of the European Union, but also addresses the aesthetic, cultural and national issues associated with the move to independence and the adaptation of a Western economic model.

More than an introduction, this book is a forum for ideas as well as a detailed, first-hand account of the current scene in Baltic theatre. While useful for anyone interested in contemporary theatre, it is also essential reading for those interested in Baltic studies, post-Soviet cultural history, and recent trends in East European literature.

About the Author
Jeff Johnson is a playwright and teacher. Recipient of numerous awards, he is the author of three previous books on theater and cinema.

Other Book(s) by Jeff Johnson Available from McFarland:

Pervert in the Pulpit

William Inge and the Subversion of Gender



Award Winner
Honorable Mention, AABS Book Prize--Association for the Advancement of Baltic Studies

Table of Contents & Excerpts

Related Books
Performing Arts/Theater
Europe