Playwright Nikolai Robertovich Erdman is known as the author of two plays: “The Mandate” and “The Suicide.” The first brought the novice author sensational success and deafening popularity, the second was banned by Soviet censorship. Only in 1990, Yu. Lyubimov staged “The Suicide” at the Taganka Theater. The sharp satire and dramatic pathos of the works of N.R. Erdman made a real revolution in Russian drama in the 20-30s. last century, but did not save the author from Stalinist repressions. The absurdity of Soviet reality, bureaucratic stupidity, the wretchedness of bourgeois life and complete disregard for the human person - the themes of N. Erdman’s satirical comedies are quite relevant for modern Russia. In addition to plays, the collection includes poems by Erdman the imagist, his fables, interludes, as well as sincere and touching correspondence with the famous Russian actress A. Stepanova.