EARLY PERIOD OF VASYLY VASYLK’S CREATIVITY ON THE STAGES OF KHARKIV THEATRES: SEARCH FOR HIS OWN DIRECTING METHOD (1921–1926)

Abstract

This paper is devoted to the study of the early period of creative work of Vasyl Vasyľko (1921–1926) as a mail stone of his professional formation within the theatrical environment of Kharkiv. The focus is placed on the interaction between the traditions of Ukrainian theatre associated with Mykola Sadovskyi and the innovative directing explorations of the school of Les Kurbas, as well as on the internal dynamics of the development of the director’s artistic thinking.
Research methodology. The study is based on a combination of historical-theatrical, cultural-historical and biographical approaches. The historical-chronological method is applied to reconstruct the stages of Vasyľko’s activity in Kharkiv, while interpretative and analytical methods are used to analyse stage productions and trace the evolution of his directing method. Materials of contemporary press and theatrical criticism are also involved.
Results. It has been established that the early Kharkiv period is characterized by the coexistence of innovative searches and traditional theatrical forms in the director’s practice. In particular, in the production «Za dvoma zaytsyamy» («To birds of
one stone») experimental approaches, search tendencies and traditional elements are combined, whereas in «The Inspector
General» after a tendency toward traditional forms is observed. Similar processes are also traced in other productions of the
period. Contemporary critical reception reflects both recognition of the director’s creative explorations and remarks concerning stylistic inconsistency and insufficient ensemble unity.
Novelty. The research proposes to consider this period as a mail stone in the formation of directorial subjectivity, characterized by selective assimilation and transformation of different theatrical traditions.
The practical significance. The results of the study may be used in further research on the history of Ukrainian directing and the evolution of theatrical methods of the twentieth century.