Re-Interpreting Brecht: His Influence on Contemporary Drama and Film »

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. The collection is distinguished by the presence of established scholars in the field, and by a unique contribution from East Germany, including essays by Manfred Wekwerth, present director of the Berliner Ensemble, by Joachim Tenschert, its chief dramaturg and the person most closely associated with Brecht in his final years, and by Rolf Rohmer, former Artistic Director of the Deutsches Theater in East Berlin. The place of Brecht's work in the German, French and English theatre today is assessed by Klaus Volker, Brecht's biographer and general editor of his work, by Bernard Dort, and John Willett. Brecht's theatrical practice is examined by Martin Esslin and Maarten van Dijk. Productions of Mother Courage and Hamlet, directed by Benno Besson, Brecht's most brilliant follower, are examined; Brecht's influence on contemporary film criticism is the subject of a substantial contribution by Thomas Elsaesser; and his importance for feminist film and theatre is assessed. Finally, Eric Bentley, in a provocative essay, calls the whole idea of influence into question.

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 Mohrmann;
13. From anti-illusionism to hyper-realism: Bertolt Brecht and contemporary film Thomas Elsaesser;
14. The influence of Brecht Eric Bentley; Notes; Index.