Moscow State Jewish Theater
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The Moscow State Jewish Theater, Russian language: Московский Государственный Еврейский Театр, also known by its acronym GOSET: ГОСЕТ) was a Yiddish theater company established in 1919 and shut down in 1948 by the Soviet authorities.
Originated before the Bolshevik revolution as the Jewish Theater Workshop directed by Alexander Granovsky, in 1918 it attracted Solomon Mikhoels who became the leading actor and, as of 1928, its director.
The theater's repertoire included adaptations of Sholom Aleichem, such as Tevye the Milkman (also adopted in the West as Fiddler on the Roof), original works, such as Bar Kochba and Prince Reubeni, and translations, notably William Shakespeare's King Lear and Richard III. The plays were ostensibly supportive of the Soviet state, however, closer readings suggest that they actually contained veiled critiques of Stalin's regime. It is noteworthy that both of the Shakespearean plays were studies in tyranny.
The design of GOSET's foyer, as well as some decorations sets and costumes were done by Marc Chagall.
In January 1948, Mikhoels died in a car accident (his death is thought to have been orchestrated by the MVD), months later the theater was shut down, and the members of the Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee (also headed by Mikhoels) were arrested. At least thirteen prominent Soviet Yiddish writers were executed on August 12, 1952 in the event known as "The Night of Murdered Poets" ("Ночь казненных поэтов").
See also
External links
- [Moscow State Jewish Theater Archive (GOSET) in RGALI] is available on microfilm
- [Finding Aid to Moscow State Jewish Theater Archive (GOSET) in RGALI] (in English and Russian)
- [Where the Tsar banned Yiddish theater, the Soviets would subsidize it]
- [Marc Chagall and Moscow State Yiddish Theater (GOSET), 1920s] Image gallery
References
- The Moscow State Yiddish Theater: Jewish Culture on the Soviet Stage by Jeffrey Veidlinger, [review]
- The Travels of Benjamin the Third by Ala Zuskin-Perelman (the daughter of Benjamin Zuskin and Eda Berkovsky) with photos, [review]
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