«The theatre of panpsychism» of Leonid Andreyev

Abstract

The article addresses the phenomenon of the «panpsychic theatre» of L.N. Andreyev viewed from the perspective of theatre and art developments in the early 20th century. This approach helps to identify the origin of the new theatrical idea as well as its relevance and unique character. The article focuses on the « Letters about the Theatre» - Andreyev’s aesthetic manifesto, - which reflects his views on theatre and playwriting in the early 1910’s. The article dwells upon the notion of «panpsychism» introduced by Andreyev and draws distinction between «panpsychism» as a poetic device employed by the author in his plays of the 1910’s, and, on the other hand, «panpsychism» as a literary trend in the authors’s creative work of that time. The article also researches into the influence of A. P. Chehov’s novelty drama and its stage interpretation by the Moscow Art Theatre upon Andreyev’s creative work.