“New drama”: inter-mode and inter-genre synthesis (by the example of Tom Stoppard’s play “Hapgood”)

Contemporary literature, tending towards inter-mode synthesis and polyphony of genre structures, blurring the boundaries between elitism and mass culture, is a constant object of study for literary scholars. The aim of this research is to identify the principle of inter-mode synthesis and the combination of multi-genre elements in Tom Stoppard’s play “Hapgood”. The scientific novelty of the research stems from the problem of combining diverse elements within a single dramatic work, particularly epic and dramatic ones, as well as the interpretation of the latest scientific theories through artistic means. In his work, Tom Stoppard introduces a spy plot into the play. It is worth noting that the subgenre of the spy novel – the spy thriller – belongs to popular literature, one of whose characteristics is its reliance on clichés. Consequently, the question arises of the relationship between non-mass and mass literature. As a result of the research, it was revealed how the theory of physics served as a source of the author’s philosophical generalizations, and the detective plot added entertainment value to the work. This research is devoted to a specific question – the genre specificity of Tom Stoppard’s play “Hapgood”. This work has not been previously considered in the stated aspect. Thanks to the application of a complex research methodology, the study reveals how the presence of elements from different modes and genres in the play lends an element of entertainment to the drama.