Komisarjevsky, Theodore, 1882-1954

Theodore Komisarjevsky was a Russian theatre and opera producer, director, designer, and author. In 1919 he emigrated to England where he designed and directed Russian plays, as well as productions of Shakespeare at Stratford-upon-Avon and elsewhere. He moved to the U.S. in 1939, and continued to produce plays and operas, give lectures and teach until his death in 1954. Phillada Sewell (1910-1998) was an English stage, television and screen actress. She met Komisarjevsky in 1930, and over the years became his close friend and confidant.

From the description of Theodore Komisarjevsky correspondence with Phillada Sewell, 1929-1968 (inclusive), 1930-1954 (bulk). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 612798393

Theodore Komisarjevsky was a Russian theatre and opera producer, director, designer, and author. In Russia he staged dramas and operas both at his sister Vera Komissarzhevskaia's theatre and at his own studio. In 1919 he emigrated to England where he designed and directed Russian plays as well as productions of Shakespeare at Stratford-upon-Avon and elsewhere. He moved to the U.S. in 1939, and continued to produce plays and operas, give lectures and teach until his death in 1954.

From the description of Papers, 1912-1970 (inclusive), 1912-1954 (bulk). (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 84671161

Theodore Komisarjevsky was a leading 20th century theatrical director and designer, particularly known for his productions of plays by Anton Chekhov and William Shakespeare in England in the 1930s.

Born into a theatrical Russian family, a son of an opera singer, and a younger step-brother of a prominent Russian actress Vera Komissarzhevskaia, he was raised in Italy and Russia. In 1903 he joined his sister's company in Saint-Petersburg as a director and designer. He moved to Moscow in 1910, where he opened his own studio and worked with a number of companies staging and designing dramas and operas. After the October Revolution of 1917, he was named Director of the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. In 1919 he left Soviet Russia and shortly afterwards settled in England.

In the 1930s his productions of King Lear and Macbeth for the Stratford-upon-Avon Shakespeare Memorial Company were widely acclaimed as the most innovative of his time. He also published a study of theatrical costumes, translated and wrote plays, and gave lectures at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. In 1930s he designed interiors for a number of landmark movie theatre buildings of the Granada Theatres Ltd.

Komisarjevsky moved to the United States in 1939, where he staged a number of productions at the New York City Opera, gave lectures on theatre, and opened Komisarjevsky Theatre Studio in New Haven, where he taught summer courses and staged versions of Russian classics with his students. He died in Darien, Connecticut in 1954.

From the guide to the Papers, 1912-1970 (inclusive), 1912-1954 (bulk)., (Harvard Theatre Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University)

Theodore Komisarjevsky was a leading 20th century theatrical director and designer, particularly known for his productions of plays by Anton Chekhov and William Shakespeare in England in the 1930s.

Born into a theatrical Russian family, he was raised in Italy and Russia. In 1919 he left Soviet Russia and shortly afterwards settled in England.

In the 1930s, his productions of King Lear and Macbeth for the Stratford-upon-Avon Shakespeare Memorial Company were widely acclaimed as the most innovative of his time. He also published a study of theatrical costumes, translated and wrote plays, and gave lectures at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Komisarjevsky moved to the United States in 1939 together with a young American dancer Ernestine Stodelle, who became his wife. In the United States, he staged a number of productions at the New York City Opera, gave lectures on theatre, and opened Komisarjevsky Theatre Studio in New Haven, where he taught summer courses and staged versions of Russian classics with his students. He died in Darien, Connecticut in 1954.

Phillada Sewell (1910-1998) was an English stage, television and screen actress. She became Komisarjevsky's student and friend in 1930. She was later instrumental in raising funds for Komisarjevsky to go to America to found a school for acting. Over the years, Sewell became Komisarjevsky's most trusted friend and confidant.

From the guide to the Theodore Komisarjevsky correspondence with Phillada Sewell, 1929-1968 (inclusive), 1934-1954 (bulk)., (Harvard Theatre Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University)