The Old Woman, Robert Wilson's surreal, vaudevillian adaptation of the titular short story by Russian writer Daniil Kharms, comes to BAM from June 22—29. Context is everything, so get even closer to the show with this curated selection of articles, videos, and original blog pieces related to the show. For those of you who've already seen it, help us keep the conversation going by telling us what you thought below.
On the Blog
Illustration
BAM Illustrated: The Old Woman
An adaptation of Daniil Kharm's dark story by BAM's Nate Gelgud.
Article
"Daniil Kharm's Shimmering World"
The Old Woman author "lived as he wrote," writes Jess Goldschmidt: "to startle the audience into epiphany."
Around the Web
Writings
“So It Is In Life” (The New Yorker)
A sampling of writings by Daniil Kharms, the master of absurdism behind The Old Woman.
Article
“Mikhail Baryshnikov Back On Stage with Willem Dafoe” (BBC)
For The Old Woman, Baryshnikov offered to sing and choreograph—two things he’s long refused to do.
Profile
“Don’t Make This Into A Crackpot Profile, Please” (The Guardian)
“I've always been game,” says Willem Dafoe, “maybe to a fault."
Biography
Daniil Kharms (EGS.edu)
Learn more about the eccentric writer behind The Old Woman.
Article
"Art is a Cupboard!"(LRB.co.uk)
A rich account of Daniil Kharms' life and workd from the London Review of Books.
Video Interview
Willem Dafoe & Mikhail Baryshnikov (YouTube)
Says Dafoe: “Singing and dancing? Yeah, I’m a showbiz baby.”
Article
“Soviet Deadpan” (The New York Times)
Writer George Saunders opines on The Old Woman writer Daniil Kharms’ aversion to literary artifice.
Audio
Lapham’s Quarterly Podcast: Daniil Kharms (LaphamsQuarterly.org)
An introduction to the Russian absurdist, along with a discussion of his notebooks.
Now your turn...
So? How was the dynamic duo of Baryshnikov and Dafoe? How did this compare to other Robert Wilson productions you might have seen? Clamoring to read more Kharms? Tell us what's on your mind in the comments below.