Letter to K.S. Stanislavsky, November 9, 1931

Source: Tom 17

Dear Konstantin Sergeyevich!

I do not have a very high opinion of the play "The Suicide" (the play by N. Erdman, "The Suicide" -- Ed.). My closest comrades consider it vacuous and even harmful. The opinion and reasoning of the Repertory Committee can be found in the enclosed document. It seems to me that the Repertory Committee's assessment is not far from the truth. Nevertheless, I do not object to letting the theater make the experiment and show its mastery. It is not impossible that the theater will succeed in achieving its aim. The Kultprop of our Party's CC (Comrade Stetsky) will assist you in this matter. The reviewers will be comrades who are knowledgeable in matters of art. I am a dilettante in this field. Regards.

I. Stalin

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Source: Gromov, E.S. Stalin: Art and Power, p. 151.

NOTE: Stalin's letter is a reply to Stanislavsky's appeal of October 29, 1931: "From Aleksei Maksimovich Gorky you already know that the Moscow Art Theater is deeply interested in Erdman's play 'The Suicide,' in which the theater sees one of the most significant works of our epoch... at present the play is under censorship ban. And I would like to ask your permission to begin work on the comedy 'The Suicide' in the hope that you will not refuse to view it before release as performed by our actors. After such a showing, the fate of this comedy could be decided. Of course, the Art Theater will incur no production expenses until the showing for you."