An Optimistic Tragedy

Revolution. A Woman Commissar is assigned to a ship whose crew consists entirely of men, mostly anarchists, and is led by the Leader. The conflict between the ideas advanced by the Bolsheviks and anarchist sentiments forms the basis of the play. The Commissar’s strength of spirit and her actions win the crew over to her side and lead to the Leader’s defeat.

Note:
Work on the play began in January 1932. By August 1932 the text was completed, and in 1933 a second version followed. It was initially titled “Long Live Life,” then had another title — “Out of Chaos.” The title “An Optimistic Tragedy,” proposed by the leading actress of the Kamerny Theatre, Alisa Koonen, became attached to the play.

The first version was staged in 1933 at the Kiev Russian Theatre. On December 18, 1933, a production of the second version followed, staged by Tairov at the Kamerny Theatre.