This collection investigates the evolution and thematic preoccupations of Russian dramatic literature during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Robert W. Corrigan, a scholar of dramatic theory and history, compiles a selection of seminal plays to illustrate the shift from traditional realism to the experimental movements that defined the Russian stage. The text provides a framework for understanding how these works reflect the socio-political instability and cultural shifts occurring in Russia during this period.

Scholars and students of theatre history frequently cite this anthology as a useful primary source for accessing foundational Russian dramatic texts in translation. Readers often note that the editorial introductions provide necessary historical grounding for those unfamiliar with the specific political pressures faced by playwrights of the time.