Transformation of the Productions of Great Tragedies by W. Shakespeare on the Russian Stage of the XIX – Mid XX Century

The aim of the study is to study the process of formation and transformation of stage interpretations of Great Tragedies by W. Shakespeare in Russia from the end of the 18th to the middle of the 20th century, determining the key stages of their development, as well as in revealing the relationship between the historical and cultural context of the era and the aesthetic principles that formed the theatrical embodiment of these works. The article considers and highlights various stages of mastering the plays of the English playwright W. Shakespeare in Russia. For example, early stage (late XVIII – early XIX centuries): the first adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays through French and German translations, their influence on Russian culture. Then we can highlight the stage of the middle of the XIX century, when interest in W. Shakespeare thanks to translations, romantic and realistic trends, the growing social role of the theater. The contribution of Russian cultural figures such as A.S. Pushkin, V.G. Belinsky, and others to the interpretation of Shakespeare’s texts is also reflected. The next stage is the be-ginning of the 20th century, when a philosophical rethinking of the playwright's creative legacy takes place, new detailed and poetic translations appear, the theater turns to psychological realism (Moscow Art Theater, K.S. Stanislavsky) and carries out innovative productions. The post-war period is associated with the overcoming of ideological restrictions, the emergence of new interpretations of tragedies of W. Shakespeare (N.P. Okhlopkov, G. Kozintsev) and the reflection of the trend of influence of Western directors on the Russian (Soviet) theater, in particular P. Brook. The scientific novelty consists in the systematization of the stages of adaptation of the plays of W. Shakespeare in Russia with an emphasis on the relationship between theatrical practices and historical events, analysis of little-studied aspects, such as the role of translations and the influence of politics on the rep-ertoire (for example, the ban on Hamlet in the 1930–1950s), coverage of innovative approaches of directors (K.S. Stanislavsky, G. Craig, Yu. Lyubimov), who combined classics with modernity. As a result, key trends in Shakespeare’s interpretation were revealed: from romanticization to philosophical and political reading. It is shown how social changes (revolutions, the Thaw) influenced the interpretation of tragedies. The role of crea-tivity of W. Shakespeare is emphasized. W. Shakespeare in the formation of the Russian theatrical language, combining tradition and experiment.