Vl.I. Nemirovich-Danchenko:
In Search of New Drama

This series of exhibitions will reflect on Vladimir Ivanovich’s work on the repertoire of the Moscow Art Theatre. It is known that, during the initial discussions about the theatre’s creation, Nemirovich-Danchenko was granted "complete veto power in all literary matters." The first "series" will explore the plays of Norwegian writers Henrik Ibsen and Knut Hamsun.

Pavel Vashchilin, Director of the Moscow Art Theater Museum: “In 2026, we are pleased to open a new exhibition series, “Vl. I. Nemirovich-Danchenko: In Search of New Drama,” which will explore Vladimir Ivanovich’s personality and his creative pursuits at the Moscow Art Theater. These exhibitions will allow visitors to explore the work of director, critic, teacher, and playwright Vl. I. Nemirovich-Danchenko.”

At the beginning of the 20th century, Henrik Ibsen and Knut Hamsun were fashionable and popular authors in Russia. During the lifetime of Vl. I. Nemirovich-Danchenko and K. S. Stanislavsky, three works by Knut Hamsun and nine by Henrik Ibsen were staged at the Moscow Art Theatre.

Nemirovich-Danchenko, as a dramatic writer, highly valued Ibsen’s “purely literary” plays and tried to graft “this northern giant” onto the soil of Russian theatre.

The Moscow Art Theatre has turned to the works of Henrik Ibsen since its founding: it has staged Edda Gabler, Dr. Stockmann, When We Dead Awaken, The Wild Duck, Pillars of Society, Ghosts, Brand, Rosmersholm, and Peer Gynt.

Knut Hamsun, recognized primarily as a novelist, particularly valued his relationship with the Moscow Art Theatre, where performances of his plays "The Drama of Life," "At the Gates of the Kingdom," and "Life in the Paws" ran for long periods.

Hamsun had never been to Russia and had never seen any of his plays performed at the Moscow Art Theatre. Nevertheless, the renowned theatre company’s interest was both welcome and important to him. In his correspondence with Nemirovich-Danchenko, the writer expressed concern about the quality of the translation and attempted to help, clarifying the nuances and shades of meaning of words and expressions.

The exhibition will give visitors the opportunity to experience the Moscow Art Theatre’s work on productions of Norwegian playwrights G. Ibsen and K. Hamsun.

The exhibition will feature sketches and photographs for the performances "When We, the Dead, Awaken," "Pillars of Society," "Ghosts," "Brand," "The Drama of Life," "At the Gates of the Kingdom," and "In the Paws of Life," as well as models by theater designer V.A. Simov for the performances "In the Paws of Life," "Brand," and "In the Paws of the Kingdom." Also on display will be a folder containing fabric samples for the costumes for "Brand" and a copy of Knut Hamsun’s play "In the Paws of Life" — the only translation by R. Tiraspolskaya authorized by the author.

Among the unique exhibits will be G. Ibsen’s book "When We Dead Awaken" with a dedication from the authors of the translation from Norwegian, J. Baltrushaitis and S. Polyakov.