Vasili Toporkov and the Moscow Art Theatre

Vasili Toporkov was one of the rare outsiders ever to be invited to join the Moscow Art Theatre. Although already an experienced and accomplished artist, he was forced to retrain as an actor under Stanislavski's rigorous guidance.

Toporkov's Account of Learning and Rehearsal

This is Toporkov's account of this learning process, offering an insight into Stanislavski's legendary "system" and his method of rehearsal that became known as the method of physical action.

Spanning ten years - from 1928 to 1938 - Toporkov charts the last crucial years of Stanislavski's work as a director.

Stanislavski as a Multi-Faceted Personality

Toporkov reveals Stanislavski as a multi-faceted personality - funny, furious, kind, ruthless, encouraging, exacting - waging war against clichés and quick answers, inspiring his actors and driving to despair in his pursuit of artistic perfection.

The Translation and Its Significance

Jean Benedetti's new translation of Toporkov's invaluable record restores to us the vitality and insight of Stanislavski's mature thoughts on acting.