Michael Chekhov's production of Twelfth Night at the Habimah Theatre

The production of Twelfth Night was Habimah´s first production of Shakespeare and the first comedy in its repertoire. It was directed by Michael Chekhov (1891-1955). The reminiscences, letters and diary entries of Chekhov and the Habimah actors trace the ccourse of the preparatory wirk for the production. Chekhov set himself the task of giving Shakespeare´s comedy a contemporary relevance. The artistic results could only by the creative cooperation of the actor-director with the ensemble. Chekhov employed his methods of movement, improvisation, imagination and concentration, among others, that had been tested at the Second Moscow Art Theatre. The first night took place in September 1930 in the Berliner Theater. Twelfth Night was a success everywhere, ven in England, where the Habimah toured in 1931 and 1937. Chekhov's reputation.as a director had been established.Peer reviewe