On Theatre [Hardcover]

Bertolt Brecht (Author), John Willett (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 25, 1974

This selection of Bertolt Brecht's critical writing charts the development of his thinking on theatre and aesthetics over four decades. The volume demonstrates how the theories of Epic Theatre and Alienation evolved and contains notes and essays on the staging of The Threepenny Opera, Mahagonny, Mother Courage, Puntila, Galileo, and many others of his plays. Also included is A Short Organum for the Theatre, Brecht's most complete statement of his revolutionary philosophy of the theatre.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, German (translation)

About the Author

Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956) is acknowledged as one of the great dramatists whose plays, work with the Berliner Ensemble and writing have had a considerable influence on the theatre. His landmark plays include The Threepenny Opera and, while exiled from Germany and living in the USA, such masterpieces as The Life of Galileo, Mother Courage and The Caucasian Chalk Circle. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 310 pages
• Publisher: Methuen Publishing Ltd (April 25, 1974)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0413308200
• ISBN-13: 978-0413308207
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,110,175 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brecht on Theatre: The Development of an Aesthetic, June 14, 2004

By 

Mr DM Hall (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brecht on Theatre: The Development of an Aesthetic (Paperback)

There is only one way to describe this book: Paperback gold. I am currently studying A-Level theatre studies and I couldn't ask for a better resource on Brecht than this. However, I don't think it is necessary to be a drama student to read this book. Obviously some background knowledge of Brecht is helpful when tackling some of the essays that he has written but if you have any kind of interest in the theatre then have a go with this, it's very well edited and above all it's really quite an easy read.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful Toolkit for Theorists and Dramatists, November 29, 2004

By 

Myron Makewater "redcrosseknight" (Laramie) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brecht on Theatre: The Development of an Aesthetic (Paperback)

Brecht's theater is a blast, a genuine attempt to do something unique and productive with the heretofore conservative and corporate medium of the stage. It represents the first wave of revolution in European theater since the English stage was closed in the mid-17th century. Brecht successfully constructs an antifascist, anti-exploitative theater without being didactic or heavyhanded about it. (As I mentioned, it's actually a blast.) Much of his success came from surrounding himself with brilliant and dedicated people, and much of the success of this collection of Brecht's writings comes from Brecht's polishing his ideas in the tumbler of real practice with those people. For me, Brecht's passing comments on Aristotle and Shakespeare are worth the price of admission.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In Brecht's own words, October 17, 2010

By 

Sofia L. Thanopoulou - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Brecht on Theatre: The Development of an Aesthetic (Paperback)

An invaluable primary source for the study of Brecht and Political Theater. Brecht explains the fundamentals of his aesthetics, influences, theories, as well as the development of a rehearsal system. Essential for students of theater.