Soviet Theater at Avignon 1988: Vassiliev, Slavkin, Dodine, Abramov

The Soviet theater presented at the Avignon 1988 festival, featuring works by Anatoli Vassiliev, Slavkin, Dodine, and Abramov, emerged from a long gestation during the stagnation period rather than being a direct product of perestroika. Perestroika's role was limited to easing administrative constraints and legalizing the existence of marginal groups and directors seeking work. This theatrical movement was active across Moscow, Leningrad, and the Baltic republics. Anatoli Vassiliev highlighted that the creative output had matured over time, not as an immediate consequence of recent reforms.