Komisarjevsky, Theodore (Fedor) (1882-1954)

Russian theatre designer and director. Komisarjevsky was known for his influential but controversial productions, particularly of plays by Chekhov and Shakespeare. He left Russia shortly after the Revolution and spent the rest of his life working abroad, chiefly in Britain and the USA.

Komisarjevsky was born in Venice, and worked in Russia from 1907 to 1919. While in England, he became the second husband of the actor Peggy Ashcroft. In 1936, he emigrated to the USA, where he remained until his death. He wrote several books on costume and design, and one on his fellow Russian director Stanislavsky. His sister Vera Komisarjevskaya (1864-1910) was a famous actor and theatre manager.