Re-interpreting Brecht
His Influence on Contemporary Drama and Film

This volume offers an appraisal of the importance of Bertolt Brecht's theory through the examination of how his plays have been interpreted on stage.

Pia Kleber (Edited by), Colin Visser (Edited by)

9780521429009, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 19 March 1992

236 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.4 cm, 0.3 kg

This volume offers a fresh appraisal of the importance of Bertolt Brecht's theory and practice through the documentation of his influence on other dramatists and directors, the examination of how his plays have been interpreted on stage and how his theories have been modified by his followers, and through a selection of the most challenging recent critical approaches to his work. Consideration is also taken of Brecht's influence on contemporary film criticism and his importance for feminist film and theatre. The book will be of interest to scholars and students of drama, literature, German studies and film.

Acknowledgements
Notes on contributors
1. Introduction Pia Kleber
2. Questions concerning Brecht Manfred Wekwerth
3. The origins, aims, and objectives of the Berliner Ensemble Joachim Tenschert
4. Two generations of post-Brechtian playwrights in the German Democratic Republic Rolf Rohmer
5. Productions of Brecht's plays on the West German stage, 1945–1986 Klaus Volker
6. Ups and downs of British Brecht John Willett
7. Crossing the desert: Brecht in France in the eighties Bernard Dort
8. 'His liberty is full of threats to all': Benno Besson's Helsinki Hamlet and Brecht's dialectical appropriation of classic texts Paul Walsh
9. Blocking Brecht Maartern van Dijk
10. Some reflections on Brecht and acting Martin Esslin
11. Brechtian theory and American feminist theatre Karen Laughlin
12. The influence of Brecht on women's cinema in West Germany Renate Möhrmann
13. From anti-illusionism to hyper-realism: Bertolt Brecht and contemporary film Thomas Elsaesser
14. The influence of Brecht Eric Bentley
Notes
Index.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: plays & playwrights [DSG]