Izvestia, a prominent Moscow-based daily, interviewed the guest for his views on the contemporary stage world.
The Royal Court produced five plays from Russia within the preceding two and a half years alone, said Mr. Cook. He made special notice of three-"Plasticine", "Black Milk" and "Figuring as Victim".
The director describes Vassili Sigarev's "Plasticine" as a play for every nation. He made a long trip to Yekaterinburg in the Urals to have a better understanding of it. Mr. Cook wanted a firsthand view of the playwright's native city, and to see how it feels to live there. The director met the author, his family and the more distant relations.
Russia idolizes stage directors of genius, while the British theatre starts with the playwright, he pointed out.
Then, Russians-the stage people, critics and viewers-at-large alike-expect too much, or at least very much, of the theatre. Every director and actor is determined to become a celebrity as soon as he starts his career, and the audiences are only after sensational masterpieces. But then, great plays or great productions appear only on rare occasions. But then, Russia offers very many good plays, remarked Mr. Cook.
