E. Susanna Weygandt. From Metaphor to Direct Speech: Contemporary Russophone Drama and Performance Theory. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press, 2025. xii, 234 pp. Notes. Index. Illustrations. Photographs. 89. 95, hard bound.

Key Points

• The book explores the evolution of speech in Russophone drama, analyzing the transition from metaphor to direct dialogue.
• Literary analysis of contemporary Russophone plays
• Theoretical framework based on performance theory
• In-depth case studies of key works
• Visual analysis of stage performances
• Identified significant shifts in narrative style within contemporary Russophone drama.
• Demonstrated how direct speech affects audience engagement and interpretation.
• Highlighted the role of metaphor as a foundational element in drama evolution.