ABSTRACT
Meyerhold’s grasp of the finer points of theatre theory was impressive. He was, by any standards, very well read and, if the content of his courses in actor training is anything to go by, he expected his students to develop the same level of sophisticated theatrical understanding. In addition to the practical classes experienced by Meyerhold’s students, they were also required to study technical drawing, mathematics, music, social science and the history of world theatres (Hoover 1974: 317-19). Meyerhold’s aim is clear to see. He didn’t simply require technically able actors. He also wanted well-rounded thinkers to graduate from his training school. It must have been a very stimulating, if daunting, environment in which to learn one’s craft.
