Theatrical adaptations of Fyodor Dostoevsky's novel Crime and Punishment in Krakow 2000-2015

Abstract

Purpose of research. The primary objective was to check which topics of Fyodor Dostoyevsky's novel, had omitted or changed by polish director and what the effect is for whole performance.

Methodology. The subject of objective studies were stage adaptations of works by Fyodor Dostoevsky exhibited in Krakow repertory theaters in the years 2000 - 2015. The articel analyzed the Polish scenario of adaptation of the novel "Crime and Punishment" directed by Waldemar Śmigasiewicz (2007). The working hypothesis is that the transfer of literary works from one form to another (literary work - theater) and from one culture to another (Russia - Poland) is associated with the loss of some threads.

Results. The analysis showed that Waldemar Śmigasiewicz by changing the form of the message (literary work - theater) and by transferring the work from one culture to another (Russia - Poland), made numerous abbreviations in the text of the novel. Waldemar Śmigasiewicz in the performance "Crime and Punishment" focused primarily on the mental condition of Raskolnikov and the drama of the process of reaching the consciousness of a criminal.

Conclusions. The study took into account the aspects of transformation a literary work into a stage work. The examination of the modification of the content of the original text and translation is not intended to inspect the observations of the Polish viewer. The obtained results show only the possibility of decoding and understanding the most important themes of the novel "Crime and Punishment", which the viewer gives the director.