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Abstract:

In the literary space of the first book of A.N. Tolstoy’s novel Peter the Great special attention is paid to references to theatre and theatrical activities of individual characters. The recollection of N.K. Naryshkina and her associates on the theatre in the second chapter has not so much a historical as a symbolic significance. In the second chapter there is an episode related to the theatrical activity of Princess Sophia, which is of interest for source studies. In the third chapter there is a scene of the establishment of the most jesting, most drunken and extravagant cathedral, one of the contrivances of Peter the Great for entertainment, carnival performances. In the novel theatre, as a Western kind of entertainment, correlates precisely with activities of the German Quarter, following the historical truth. From the nature of theatre scenes, we can conclude that Tolstoy could rely on the historical research of the Russian theatre by N.S. Tikhonravov, as evidenced by writer’s notes in the book. References to the theatre are woven into the artistic structure of the novel and help to reveal the characters’ personalities, adding ‘features to the portrait’ of Peter, his associates and opponents, and also make it interesting to search for possible novel sources.