Theatre Across Borders

Stephen Unwins A Guide to the Plays of Bertolt Brecht is an indispensable comprehensive and highly readable companion to the dramatic work of this challenging and rewarding writer. Besides providing detailed accounts of nineteen key plays it explores their context and Brechts dramatic theory to equip readers with a rich understanding of how Brechts work was shaped by his times and by his evolving thinking about the function of theatre. Bertolt Brechts work as a director his critical and theoretical writing and above all the remarkable plays that emerged from one of the most turbulent periods in history have had a profound and lasting influence on theatre. Central to theatre studies courses and whose plays are frequently revived on stage Brecht is nevertheless perceived as a difficult writer. This companion is divided into two sections the first seven chapters outline the tumultuous historical cultural and theatrical context of Brechts work. They explore his theatrical theory and provide an account of his approach to staging his plays which informs an understanding of how they work in practice. The second section provides an analysis of nineteen plays in six chronological groupings each prefaced by a brief sketch of Brechts life and theatrical development in that period. For each play Stephen Unwin offers a synopsis a critical commentary and an account of the work in performance. The book concludes with an examination of Brechts legacy and a chronicle of his life and times. Written by experienced theatre director Stephen Unwin this is the perfect companion to Brechts plays and life for student and theatre practitioner alike.