LESSON TWO
Bertolt Brecht

"ART IS NOT A MIRROR HELD UP TO REALITY BUT A HAMMER WITH WHICH TO SHAPE IT"

Bertolt Brecht was and still is today regarded as one of the most profound theatre practitioners. Drama schools all over the world study Brechts idea of 'Epic Theatre'. Brecht setup and organised a theatre group called The Berliner Ensemble. Brecht had a heavy influence from other intellectuals, which made him a subject of investigation by the United States government.

Brecht served as a medical orderly in the First World War and came away disgusted by what he experienced. Brecht had travelled to both Munich and Berlin to try and establish a career in theatre.

Germany was engulfed in war when Brecht fled to the United States as he didn't agree with Hitlers dictatorship. The Nazis eventually revoked his citizenship, leaving him stateless.

Brecht fled to America after the war, and because of Brechts superior intellect, many Americans after the war became suspicious of him. Suspecting that he was a Communist spy or a liar. However, Brecht was not  a communist, just merely a theatre play write.

Source: Rongart Youtube Channel

Brechts plays focus on political ideas and themes which cause the audience to leave the theatre asking questions rather than leaving feeling satisfied about the characters. It isn't about the characters. The actors are merely a way to convey the point. Brecht believed theatre should ask questions.

Some of Brechts notable work:

The Caucasian Chalk Circle, The Three-penny Opera, Mother Courage and Her Children.


Name: Eugen Bertolt Friedrich Brecht  

Born: 10th February 1898

Died: 14th August 1956 ( aged 58)

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