Biomechanics was a system of actor training developed by Vsevolod Meyerhold. Its purpose was to widen the emotional potential of a theater piece and express thoughts and ideas that could not be easily presented through the naturalistic theater of the period.

The techniques of Biomechanics were developed during the rehearsals of a series of plays directed by Meyerhold in the 1920s and 1930s when Socialist Realism was at its height in Russia. Biomechanics is a precursor to and influence on much of the 20th Century’s physical theatre.

Biomechanics Essay outlining Meyerhold’s biomechanics.

Contemporary Arts Media Documentary film on Meyerhold and the practical application of biomechanics.

North Western University Rare historical footage of biomechanics in action (video).

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