Religion research

• Russian Orthodoxy is the dominant religion in Russia. About 95% of the registered Orthodox parishes belong to the Russian Orthodox Church while there are a number of smaller Orthodox Churches. However, the vast majority of Orthodox believers do not attend church on a regular basis.

• However religion in Russia was diverse, with a 1997 law naming Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Judaism as important in Russian history 
• There were around 5 million Jews and 23 million Muslims living in Russia around this time

Religions:

• Russian Orthodoxy 
• Roman Catholicism
• Other Christians
• Islam
• Neppaganism 
• Rengrism
• Buddhism
• Hinduism
• Judaism 
• Taoism

Social and Political research

Politics

• Political parties were illegal before 1914.

• There were 6 main political groups in Russia between 1900 - 1917. The Bolsheviks, Kadets, Mensheviks, Octobrists, Socialist Revolutionaries and the Tsarists.

• Tsar or otherwise known as Tsar Nicholas II was the emperor of Russia before 1917. Throughout this time people began to support the working class and there advance.

• It was a time of many political views, but a time for change for the peasants. They were gaining more rights and began to make there voice heard.

• The new Russia was beginning to make its way across the country. Old traditional Russia was fading.

Life in Russia

• Life in Russia in the early 1900's was extremely repulsive, especially for the peasants. The conditions the peasants lived in were difficult, poor and unhygienic.

• houses were cramped and lacked insulation making the peasants prone to diseases like pneumonia which were lethal at that time

• The peasants had very little to no rights. It was like they were freed slaves. They could not strike to improve the conditions because the Tsar's loyal army would shut them up. They were impoverished, oppressed and despised. The peasants were not regarded as human beings and had no say in how taxes were spent.

This is why the working class wanted to gain more freedom and rights. It was a primitive way to live which emphasised the fact that Russia, although very big and full of rich resources, was very backward.

Working in costume - Research

Male Fashion
Here i have created a collage of 4 real pictures of Russian men from the late 1800's into the 1900's. I wanted to use pictures of men who actually existed in that period because the outfits would have been exactly what was worn at that time.

I noticed during my research that long jackets that came down to the knee otherwise known as frock coats (like the top left and bottom right photo's) were in fashion and worn by most men.


Frock coats were worn for both everyday use and formal occasions unlike the tail coat in which was most often only worn for formal occasions, making the frock coat the most  versatile jacket of its era.

Waistcoats, pocket watches/fobs and top hats were also in fashion with most upper class men wearing these trends. Often would be hung from there blazer of waistcoat pockets. 

Pocket watches and top hats were often a symbol of wealth. If you had either of these two items you would have been respected because you would have had to have the money to have brought them in the first place.

In addition to this, belts were not used instead braces or suspenders. Often these were made out of leather or canvas.


Patterns, textures, colours
Near the end of the 1800's silk became relatively inexpensive so men began wearing silk vests and waistcoats. Another fashion was to mix and max different patters - often pinstripe and checkered patterns were in fashion, this may have been mixed with silk swell. In this era men began to explore and experiment with there clothing as the rich were able to get hold of new fabrics.

The typical colours would have been black, white, beige, grey. Royal blues and deep reads would have also been used but only to accessorise for example a handkerchief or waistcoat may have been a warmer/brighter colour.

From my research i have learnt that Yasha would have worn a smart suite like this, perhaps without a picket watch but with a waistcoat, blazer, buttoned shirt.

Working in costume - Ideas

  

Where am i?

Year?
Late 1800's to early 1900's

Era?
19th/18th century

Season?
Spring, May

Time?
Around 8.00/9.00 in the evening

Temperature?
It is warm inside because of the heat and sweatiness from the dancing. Yasha isn't flustered but is warm and comfortable. 

Weather?
The weather has a cold chill but isn't as bitterly cold like winter

Setting?
At the country estate of Lyuba Ranevsky

Surroundings?
The nursery 

What is the present situation?

What did Yasha come here to do?

Yasha came to look after and wait on Madame Ranevskaya and the others of the house. His main job is to be there to help and assist as much as possible as a footman.



What is Yasha's intention?

Yasha's intention is to try and escape the cherry orchard and Russia as he believes Russia is an uneducated country and considers himslef better than what he is now. His intention is try and make Ranevskya aware that he wants to go back to Paris and so should she. 



Yasha's physical condition?

I would imagine Yasha to be fairly tired and worn out most of the time as he has to constantly wait on others and has no time for people to look after him. However i do believe he would be used to this as he has been a footman for several years. His physical condition wouldn't be 100%.



Yasha's Emotional condition?

Yasha's emotional condition would be fairly frayed and worn as not only does he have to take care of others, clean, cook and wait but he also doesn't like Russia. Anyone who doesn't like there surroundings and is hoping to escape wouldn't be happy and would feel drained.

Who am i?

This is a small piece of art i did to help me understand my character's given circumstances. I also used 6 keys words in which i think would describe Yasha.

Scared- Because beneath Yasha's arrogant outset i believe he is scared about the future and where he could end up.

Arrogant- because Yasha see's himself as better and more intelligent than others.

Irritating - because Madame Ranesvsky gets irritated by him but also he is picky for example he doesn't like the food in the kitchen yet he is a footman.

Snobby - as he believes the country is uneducated and turns his nose up to those in love.

Rude - he is rude to Dunyahsa whenever she admits her love for him.

Vulnerable - because he is dependant on Ranesvsky to keep his job and intact wouldn't be anywhere without them so in in a vulnerable position. 

Drawing Yasha also helped me to imagine what he may look like which will help me in body him.

This is a mind map i drew out based on the question who am I. I spoke as Yasha and thought about his thoughts, beliefs and opinions. I also thought about Yasha's physical appearance. I believe he would be around 5"9 in height, 12 stone in weight and his age around early/mid 30's.

 I learnt that Yasha is strongly opinionated and considers himself better than others yet this conflicts his job as a footman where he serves others and is considered 'lower' in status. Perhaps Yasha is trying to justify his job and doesn't want to be seen as the stereotypical lower class footman. 

I also learnt that Yasha often likes to read and write. As he considers himself educated (unlike Russia in his opinion) i figured that Yasha would be interested in increasing his knowledge by reading and writing.