Bulgakov was a talented playwright prior to writing The Master and Margarita. Naturally, many have attempted to take the classic novel to the live stage. Here are two recent examples from the United States:
Synetic Theater-Washington DC (2010)
The Synetic Theater Group of Washington DC performed one of the most recent stage adaptations of The Master and Margarita at the end of 2010. The video below provides a compelling trailer featuring footage from the performance.
Reviews of this adaptation:
http://dctheatrescene.com/2010/11/17/the-master-and-margarita/
http://www.russianwashingtonbaltimore.com/en/node/15472
Strawdog Theater-Chicago (2011)
Chicago's Strawdog Theater likely held the most recent performances of The Master and Margarita. The play ran through April 2011. Below is an amusing video featuring backstage and rehearsal footage of Strawdog as its cast prepared to perform The Master and Margarita.
Reviews of this adaptation:
http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/the_theater_loop/2011/03/master-and-margarita-strawdog-chicago-review.html
http://newcitystage.com/2011/02/28/review-the-master-and-margaritastrawdog-theatre-company/
Classic Stage Performance
Adapting the novel for live stage is not just a recent trend. The Master and Margarita has a long history of performance. Here is the most famous example:
Taganka Theater (1977-Present)
Since 1977, Moscow's Taganka Theater has featured an almost daily performance of The Master and Margarita. Despite the novel's immense popularity throughout Russia, Taganka was the first Russian theater to bring the novel to life. Taganka's The Master and Margarita remains widely popular today, with performances selling out well in advance.
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| Taganka Theater-Moscow |
Below are examples of Bulgakov's novel appearing in recorded productions.
Russian Television Program (2005)
In December of 2005 the Russian television station "Rossiya" aired a five episode series bringing The Master and Margarita to television for the first time. The entirety of the first episode (52 minutes) can be found below. The remaining episodes are accessible through YouTube.
Yuri Kara Film (1994) IMDB
Famed Russian director Yuri Kara brought The Master and Margarita to the big screen in 1994. Although the following clip is in Russian (without subtitles), the video offers a glimpse into the visual aesthetic and production values of the film. It depicts Margarita embarking upon her flight above Moscow.
Graphic Novel
The 21st century has brought about unexpected adaptations of The Master and Margarita. Klimowski and Schebal's graphic novel signifies this. It represents the most comprehensive adaptation of the novel through visual arts.
Gallery of Drawings from the Novel
Sunday Times Review (UK)
Catalog Entry
