DOCSLIB.ORG

2010.The Judith of Shimoda.Mahagonny Songspiel.Pdf

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
2010.The Judith of Shimoda.Mahagonny Songspiel.Pdf TRANSLATOR’S NOTES PRODUCTION STAFF As a major contribution to the 13th Symposium of the International Brecht Stage Manager: Philip Tumbaga M A I N S T A G E Society on “Brecht in/and Asia” at the Dept. of Theatre and Dance/UHM, Assistant Stage Manager: Anne Alves 2009-2010 SEASON Kennedy Theatre presents the English-language world premiere of Brecht’s Assistant Director: Erin Chung Composer: Thomas Osborne The Judith of Shimoda. In fall 1940, during his 3-month exile in Finland, Aerial Specialist: Andrea Torres, Samadhi Hawai‘i Brecht and his host, the playwright Hella Wuolijoki, collaborated on an Aerial Captain: Tony Young adaptation of Yamamoto Yuzo’s 1929 play The Sad Tale of a Woman, the Story Silks Rigger: David A Griffith of Chink Okichi. As the centerpiece of Yuzo’s triptych of plays portraying Shamisen Player: Jakob Barsky different stages in Japan’s history, Chink Okichi provides the link between Light Console Operator: Angela Gosalvez Sakazaki, Lord Dewa (1921), on the feudal system of the early Tokugawa Sound Console Operator: Matthew Pescador period, and The Crown of Life (1920), about a 20th-century shrimp canner Production Electrician: Daniel Sakimura desperately trying to fulfill his contract with a London company. Chink Electrics, Sound, and Projection Crew: David Gerke, Angela Gonsalez, Rebekah “Wednesday” Harter, Kelsi Ju, Philip Tumbaga, Leia Nakao, D’neka Patten, Okichi is set in the period right after Japan’s opening to the West in 1854 and students from THEA 345, THEA 240, THEA 221 and focuses on the historical geisha Okichi, who saved her city Shimoda Stage Crew: Michael Hardy, Matthew Toyama, Keely Urbanich from the American threat of bombardment by agreeing to serve the first Set Construction Crew: Chesley Cannon, Luke Cheng, David Gerke, U.S. consul on Japanese soil. An English translation of Yuzo’s Three Plays Angela Gonsalez, Kelsi Ju, Leia Nakao, D’neka Patten, Philip Tumbaga, by the Kobe-based English teacher Glenn W. Shaw was published in 1935. Donald Quilinquin, and students from THEA 221, 240 and 474 As an adaptation of Chink Okichi (in Shaw’s translation), The Judith of Staff Technical Director: Gerald Kawaoka Shimoda rearranges, transforms and condenses Yuzo’s drama and turns it Faculty Technical Director: David A Griffith Faculty Design Consultants: Joseph D. Dodd, David A Griffith, Sandra Finney into a “play within a play” by adding a framework of interludes in which Staff Costume Shop Manager: Hannah Schauer Galli international guests of a Japanese media mogul comment on the political Assistant to the Costume Designer: Toby Rinaldi and ideological implications of the Okichi story. Brecht’s notes reveal that Costume Construction Crew: Johnna Batiste, Jenilea Heath, Morgan Lane-Tanner, he initially approached The Judith of Shimoda as a film project. For decades, Corinne Powell, and students from THEA 240 only isolated and fragmentary scenes of Brecht’s version were known, until Wardrobe Supervisor: Toby Rinaldi Hans Peter Neureuter discovered a complete Finnish typescript among Dressers: Michelle Boudreau, Maseeh Ganjali, Bronzen Hahn, Donald Quilinquin Wuolijoki’s literary remains and reconstructed a full German playscript Make-up Artist: Rachel Weckhorst-Espejo by (re-) translating and filling in the missing pieces from that version. FRONT-OF-HOUSE STAFF Neureuter’s reconstructed script was first staged by Stadttheater Osnabrück in September 2008. The production of The Judith of Shimoda at Kennedy Staff Theatre Manager: Marty Myers Box Office Staff:Sarah Jane Carlton, Cindy Hartigan, Jordan Hensley, Theatre is not only the first English-language premiere of the play, it also Stefannye Slaughter resonates with an earlier attempt to stage Yuzo’s work in Honolulu: in 1933 Publicity Director: Tracy Robinson the Theatre Guild of the University of Hawai’i presented the first English- Publicity Assistant: Vincent Desrosiers language production of Sakazaki, Lord Dewa. Web Assistant: Erin Sim by Bertolt Brecht - Markus Wessendorf Photographer: Daniel Brown Graphic Designer: Brett Botbyl SPECIAL THANKS House Manager: Kristina Tannenbaum Samadhi Hawai’i, Leeward Community College, Suzanne, Assistant House Manager: Sarah Rohde Anika & Jamison Mitri, Henry Miyamura, Laurence Paxton Department Office Staff:Tana Marin, Lori Ann Chun Department Chair: W. Dennis Carroll The UHM ticket program is supported in part by a grant from the Student Activities and Program Fee Board. For large print programs, Assistive Listening Devices or any other accessibility requests please contact the House Manager or call the Kennedy Theatre Box Office by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill at 956-7655. The Kennedy Theatre production program is generously supported by grants from the John Chin Young Foundation and the Hung Wo Ching Foundation To arrange a Campus Security Escort from any two points on campus, please see a House Manager. April 30, May 1*, 21, & 22 at 7:30pm; May 2 & 23 at 2pm This production is the first event in the month-long Brecht Theatre *Free Pre-show Chat on May 1 - Please silence all pagers, phones and digital watches. g Festival which is part of the International Brecht Society’s - No photography or video recording is permitted. “Brecht in/and Asia” Conference to be held at UH Mānoa May 19 - 23. - Please refrain from eating, drinking or smoking in the theatre. Department of Theatre and Dance For more information on the conference go to: Lost and Found, call the Box Office at 956-7655. http://manoa.hawaii.edu/brecht2010. Visit us on the web at http://www.hawaii.edu/kennedy COLLEGE OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES MAHAGONNY SONGSPIEL (THE LITTLE MAHAGONNY) THE JUDITH OF SHIMODA DIRECTOR’S NOTES - MAHAGONNY SONGSPIEL Music by Kurt Weill By Bertolt Brecht When I first encountered the operaThe Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny, Text by Bertolt Brecht (and Elisabeth Hauptmann) Translated by Markus Wessendorf I was bowled over by its unrelenting portrayal of decadence and fascism. I The English-language world premiere. did the large opera with all the trimmings at a theatre in the former East A production of the MAE Z. ORVIS OPERA STUDIO of Hawai’i Opera Theatre German Republic shortly after the fall of the Berlin wall in the early 1990’s. It in association with the Department of Theatre and Dance and the Music ARTISTIC STAFF was a very edifying experience. When Markus Wessendorf offered to invite Department at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. Director: Paul T. Mitri this production of The Mahagonny Songspiel to open the evening for his Scenic Designer: Chesley Cannon translation of Brecht’s The Judith of Shimoda, I was honored but thought I ARTISTIC STAFF Properties Designer: Donald Quillinquin knew the work inside out... Instead the ensemble has taught me much. The Director: Henry Akina Costume Designer: Amy Schrag † performers you see here are all based here in Hawai’i and are all associated Musical Direction: Eric Schank Lighting Designer: David Gerke with opera here in our state. They have taught me that things have changed Musical Assistance: Keane Ishii Sound Designer: Daniel Sakimura in the world since the 1990’s and that “Mahagonny,” that made up word Production Stage Manager for HOT: Jason Ichiyama that stands for the city of open possibility, changes its meaning and its Lighting Designer: David Gerke CAST OF CHARACTERS resonance over time. The city of Mahagonny has been variously identified as Los Angeles, Berlin, New York, Las Vegas, Brasilia and yes, Honolulu. Brecht CAST OF CHARACTERS g Mr. Akimura.......................................................................................................Tony Young used to say “When Mahagonny comes, I go.” But why go if “Mahagonny” is only a made up word? It is a pleasure for the Orvis Opera Studio of Hawai’i The Mahagonny Girls The Mahagonny Boys Ms. Ray................................................................................................................ Eleanor Svaton Jessie...........................Bambi Brock Charlie..............Chad Williams Opera Theatre to be invited to perform at Kennedy Theatre. We are honored Mr. Clive ............................................................................................................. Christopher McGahan* Bessie...............Pauline Taumalolo Billy....................Kawika McGuire to be here. Mr. Kito................................................................................................................ Futoshi Terashita - Henry Akina Bobby...............Nick Walters Okichi...................................................................................................................D’neka Patten* DEDICATION Jimmy...............John Mount The production is dedicated to the memory of Galen Leong who once suggested Heusken, Old Man, Kamekichi, Crowd Member.................................Dan. D. Randerson* in passing that Mahagonny should be in the repertoire of Hawai‘i Opera Theatre. Orchestra Wakana, Omoto, Oshimu, Boy, Crowd Member.................................Evelyn Leung Conductor:..............................Keane Ishii Townsend Harris, Prince Isa, Guard, Fish Seller, City Counselor......... James Schirmer Violin I:.....................................Dayna Furusawa Makamura, Osai, Geisha, Waitress, Crowd Member......................... Kymberly (Casey) Vanclute DIRECTOR’S NOTES - THE JUDITH OF SHIMODA Violin II:...............................Keven Tsunoda Inoue, Tsurumatsu, Samurai, City Counselor, Crowd Member..... Nicholas Atiburcio When Dr. Markus Wessendorf
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Die Dreigroschenoper Kurt Weill (1900-1950) Hauptmann (1897-1973), Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956)
    1/14 Data Livret de : Elisabeth Die Dreigroschenoper Kurt Weill (1900-1950) Hauptmann (1897-1973), Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956) Langue : Allemand Genre ou forme de l’œuvre : Œuvres musicales Date : 1928 Note : Pièce avec musique en 3 actes. - Livret de Bertolt Brecht et Elisabeth Hauptmann, d'après "The beggar's opera" de John Gay. - 1re exécution : Berlin, Theater am Schiffbauerdamm, le 31 août 1928, avec Lotte Lenya (soprano) Le compositeur en a tiré une suite pour instruments à vent intitulée "Kleine Dreigroschenmusik" Domaines : Musique Autres formes du titre : L'opéra de quat'sous (français) The threepenny opera (anglais) Détails du contenu (4 ressources dans data.bnf.fr) Contient (2) Die Dreigroschenoper. 1. , Kurt Weill (1900-1950) Die Dreigroschenoper. Die , Kurt Weill (1900-1950) Aufzug. Barbara Song Moritat von Mackie Messer (1928) (1928) Voir aussi (1) Die Dreigroschenoper : film , Georg Wilhelm Pabst (1931) (1885-1967) data.bnf.fr 2/14 Data Voir l'œuvre musicale (1) Kleine Dreigroschenmusik , Kurt Weill (1900-1950) (1928) Éditions de Die Dreigroschenoper (175 ressources dans data.bnf.fr) Enregistrements (136) DIE DREIGROSCHENOPER = , Kurt Weill (1900-1950), extrait : DE L'OPERA DE , Kurt Weill (1900-1950), L'Opéra de Quat' sous S.l. : s.n. , s.d. QUAT'SOUS A SEPTEMBER S.l. : s.n. , s.d. SONG extrait : GUITARE PARTY , C. Gray, D. Bennett, Ted choix : Chanson pour le , Mertens, J. Paris, J. Snyder [et autre(s)], S.l. : théâtre Sundstrom [et autre(s)], S.l. s.n. , s.d. : s.n. , s.d. extrait : LES GRANDES , Kurt Weill (1900-1950), extrait : JULIETTE GRECO : , Kurt Weill (1900-1950), CHANSONS DE JULIETTE Hubert Giraud (1920-2016), JE SUIS COMME JE SUIS Stéphane Golmann GRECO René-Louis Lafforgue (1921-1987), Jacques (1928-1967) [et autre(s)], Prévert (1900-1977) [et S.l.
    [Show full text]
  • Practicing Authorship: the Case of Brecht’S Plays
    Practicing Authorship: The Case of Brecht’s Plays Monika Krause Published in: Craig Calhoun and Richard Sennett (ed.) 2007: Practicing Culture. Oxford: Routledge. Bertolt Brecht collaborated with partners and friends throughout his life. Almost all his plays – including The Threepenny Opera, Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny, Galileo and Mother Courage – are the product of a close cooperation between Brecht and a set of his colleagues. They shared in collecting material, translating sources, putting text into verse and editing and reediting after rehearsals. Among forms of literary partnerships, the Brecht circle is an extreme case of sustained collective production. Public recognition, however, has been focused on the individual Brecht, and “Brecht” has come to denote an author like many others. What explains this discrepancy between the process of producing these plays and public recognition? How have these texts become associated with one individual? In my analysis, I draw on letters by Brecht and his collaborators, memoirs, biographical research and the reception of Brecht’s life and work.1 Most prominent among his co-authors are writer Elisabeth Hauptmann, actress Grete Steffin and the Danish journalist Ruth Berlau. It is tempting to focus on Brecht the person in trying to understand what is specific about the Brecht circle. Brecht is often said to be exceptionally charismatic and thus able to attract collaborators. He is sometimes portrayed as exceptionally ruthless in exploiting those around him. Sexist ideology is also suggested as a factor: Many of Brecht’s collaborators were women and some of them were his partners as well as his collaborators.
    [Show full text]
  • Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956)
    1/57 Data Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956) Pays : Allemagne (République démocratique) (1949-1990) Langue : Allemand Sexe : Masculin Naissance : Augsbourg, Allemagne, 10-02-1898 Mort : Berlin-Est, 14-08-1956 Note : Poète et auteur dramatique Domaines : Littératures Autres formes du nom : Bertold Brecht (1898-1956) Eugen Berthold Friedrich Brecht (1898-1956) ISNI : ISNI 0000 0001 2117 8009 (Informations sur l'ISNI) Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956) : œuvres (1 024 ressources dans data.bnf.fr) Œuvres textuelles (391) Der Tui-Roman Die Kleinbürgerhochzeit (1973) (1968) Me-ti, Buch der Wendungen Flüchtlingsgespräche (1965) (1961) Die Tage der Commune Antigonemodell 1948 (1956) (1955) Buckower Elegien Kalendergeschichten (1954) (1948) Furcht und Elend des Dritten Reiches Der gute Mensch von Sezuan (1945) (1943) Hollywood-Elegien Der aufhaltsame Aufstieg des Arturo Ui (1942) (1941) Leben des Galilei Svendborger Gedichte (1939) (1939) data.bnf.fr 2/57 Data Das Verhör des Lukullus Die Trophäen des Lukullus (1939) (1939) Mutter Courage und ihre Kinder Rundköpfe und Spitzköpfe (1938) (1936) Koloman Wallisch Kantate Dreigroschenroman (1935) (1934) Die Heilige Johanna der Schlachthöfe Die Mutter (1931) (1931) Fatzer Die Massnahme (1930) (1930) Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny Der Jasager und der Neinsager (1930) (1930) Sonett Nr. 1 Kalkutta, 4. Mai (1927) (1927) Hauspostille Geschichten vom Herrn Keuner (1927) (1926) Mann ist Mann Im Dickicht der Städte (1926) (1923) Trommeln in der Nacht Der kaukasische Kreidekreis (1922) Voir plus de documents de ce genre Œuvres musicales (295) "Lieder der Vergänglichkeit" "Al gran sole carico d'amore" (2004) (1975) de Krzysztof Penderecki de Luigi Nono avec Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956) comme Auteur du texte avec Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956) comme Auteur du texte "Children's crusade.
    [Show full text]
  • Kurt Weill Foundation
    Introduction and Notes by David Drew Whether you care to mention Weill in the same breath prominently among the modern poets in a family library it is to have any kind of raison d'etre. The thoroughly as Hindemith or as Hollander, as Copland or as Cole where the works of Goethe and Heine, of Johann un-topical representation of our times which would result Porter; whether you see him as an outstanding German Gottfried von Herder and Moses Mendelssohn, had pride from such a change of direction must be supported by composer who somehow lost his voice when he settled of place, and where, no doubt, one could have found a strong conviction, whether it uses an earlier epoch in America, or as an outstanding Broadway composer some of the writings of Eduard Bernstein , if not of (the to mirror aspects of present-day life or whether it finds who somehow contrived to write a hit-show called " The young?) Marx, and perhaps even a crumpled copy of a unique, definitive and timeless form for present-day Threepenny Opera" during his otherwise obscure and the Erfurt Programme of 1891 . phenomena. The absence of inner and outer complica­ probably misspent Berlin youth ; whether you disagree Unlike Brecht, Weill never needed to repudiate his early tions (in the material and in the means of expression) with both these views and either find evidence of a strik- backg round in order to define his artistic functions and is in keeping with the more naive disposition of the ingly original mind at all stages in his career (but at some objectives.
    [Show full text]
  • To the Beat of a Different Drummer Friday, September 22, 2017 • 8 Pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Saturday, September 23, 2017 • 5 Pm the Church of St
    To the Beat of a Different Drummer Friday, September 22, 2017 • 8 pm Miller Outdoor Theatre Saturday, September 23, 2017 • 5 pm The Church of St. John the Divine Victor Yampolsky, Conductor • Matthew McClung, Percussion Soloist Anthony DiLorenzo Anthem of Hope: Houston Strong ----2 minutes---- Igor Stravinsky [ Struh-VIN-ski ] 1882 – 1971 Concerto in E-flat Major for Chamber Orchestra, “Dumbarton Oaks” I. Tempo Giusto • II. Allegretto • III. Con moto ----15 minutes---- Paul Lansky [ LAN-ski ] b. 1944 Five Views of an Unfamiliar Tune for Solo Percussion and Chamber Orchestra I. Head First • II. Through the Shadows • IIII. On Parade IV. Through Meditation • IV. With Arms Akimbo ----17 minutes---- ------------------Take Five------------------- Paul Hindemith [ HEN-dih-mit ] 1895 – 1963 Cupid and Psyche (Farnesina) ----7 minutes---- Kurt Weill [Wile] 1900 – 1950 Symphony No. 2 I. Sostenuto - Allegro molto • II. Largo • III. Allegro vivace - Presto ----28 minutes---- This performance is funded in part by the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music, Inc., New York, NY This evening’s music will include the pieces above, definitely in this order, with a Take 5 (short intermission) and possible surprises. Join ROCO in exploring Houston and beyond through concerts that span the Southwest to the far Northern reaches of our area. (Private salons in homes and galleries not listed) 2 Cypress Creek FACE ROCO In Concert ROCO Unchambered ROCO Connections Saint Arnold Brewing Company Rienzi 1 2000 Lyons Avenue 1406 Kirby Drive The Heritage Society 1 1100 Bagby Street The Church of 1 St. John the Divine 4 Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston (MATCH) 2450 River Oaks Blvd 4 3400 Main Street Lawndale Art Center 4912 Main Street 1 Miller Outdoor Theater 1 6000 Hermann Park Drive Houston Zoo 6200 Hermann Park Drive 1 2 a new level of concert engagement ROCO is the first professional orchestra to premiere EnCue by Octava, a brand new smart phone app that’s changing the concert-going experience.
    [Show full text]
  • “Off to Mahagonny”
    “Off to Mahagonny” Kim Kowalke Kim Kowalke, President of the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music in New York Kim Kowalke, President of the Kurt Weill Foundation in New York, explains the history, reception, and performance issues of Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny [Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny]. Weill and Brecht’s “epic opera,” though less frequently performed than Die Dreigroschenoper, has nevertheless had an extraordinarily rich but problematic performance history. During Weill’s lifetime there was no definitive version of Mahagonny, with the so-called Paris, Berlin, and Vienna versions all being adaptations of either the Songspiel (1927) or the full-length opera (1930). Tell us about the performance history of Mahagonny during Weill’s lifetime. Kowalke: In Weill’s lifetime Mahagonny never had a chance to establish itself, largely because of the political situation. Universal Edition published a piano- vocal score prior to its première on 9 March 1930 in Leipzig with Gustav Brecher conducting. A few days later Maurice Abravanel conducted it in Kassel. That summer George Szell led it in Prague, and in October Wilhelm Steinberg conducted twelve performances in Frankfurt. By then, however, all the possibilities for the Berlin opera houses had fallen through. Even Klemperer declared it “immoral” and therefore too risky for the erstwhile adventurous Kroll. Finally Ernst Josef Aufricht, who had commercially produced both The Threepenny Opera and Happy End in Berlin, did it at the Kurfürstendamm Theatre. So its first production in Berlin wasn’t even at an opera house, but it did enjoy a run there of some fifty performances.
    [Show full text]
  • KURT WEILLWEILL EDITION Vol
    KURTKURT WEILLWEILL EDITION Vol. 2 AUFSTIEG UND FALL DER STADT MAHAGONNY (THE RISE AND FALL OF THE CITY OF MAHAGONNY) DER ZAR LÄSST SICH PHOTOGRAPHIEREN (THE TSAR HAS HIS PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN) DER KUHHANDEL (SHADY DEALING ) • HAPPY END KÖLNER RUNDFUNKORCHESTER • KÖNIG-ENSEMBLE JAN LATHAM-KÖNIG KURT WEILL (1900 - 1950) AUFSTIEG UND FALL DER STADT MAHAGONNY THE RISE AND FALL OF THE CITY OF MAHAGONNY Oper in 3 Akten / Opera in three acts Text: Bertolt Brecht (1898 - 1956) Leokadja Begbick ................................................................................... ANNY SCHLEMM Fatty .............................................................................................THOMAS LEHRBERGER der „Prokurist“ / „The Bookkeeper“ Dreieinigkeitsmoses / Trinity Moses.......................................................... KLAUS HIRTE Jenny Smith .....................................................................................................ANJA SILJA Jim Mahoney / Jim MacIntyre ....................................................WOLFGANG NEUMANN Jakob Schmidt / Jack O’Brien ............................................................ FREDERIC MAYER Bill ........................................................................................................... PAUL WOLFRUM genannt „Sparbüchsenbill“ / nicknamed „Bank-account Bill“ Joe ............................................................................................................HANS FRANZEN genannt „Alaskawolfjoe“ / nicknamed „Alaska-Wolf Joe“ Tobby Higgins .....................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Bertolt Brecht - Poems
    Classic Poetry Series Bertolt Brecht - poems - Publication Date: 2012 Publisher: Poemhunter.com - The World's Poetry Archive Bertolt Brecht(10 February 1898 – 14 August 1956) Eugen Berthold Friedrich Brecht; was a German poet, playwright, and theatre director. An influential theatre practitioner of the 20th century, Brecht made equally significant contributions to dramaturgy and theatrical production, the latter particularly through the seismic impact of the tours undertaken by the Berliner Ensemble — the post-war theatre company operated by Brecht and his wife, long-time collaborator and actress Helene Weigel. <b>Life and Career</b> Bavaria (1898–1924) Bertolt Brecht was born in Augsburg, Bavaria, (about 50 miles (80 km) north- west of Munich) to a conventionally-devout Protestant mother and a Catholic father (who had been persuaded to have a Protestant wedding). His father worked for a paper mill, becoming its managing director in 1914. Thanks to his mother's influence, Brecht knew the Bible, a familiarity that would impact on his writing throughout his life. From her, too, came the "dangerous image of the self-denying woman" that recurs in his drama. Brecht's home life was comfortably middle class, despite what his occasional attempt to claim peasant origins implied. At school in Augsburg he met Caspar Neher, with whom he formed a lifelong creative partnership, Neher designing many of the sets for Brecht's dramas and helping to forge the distinctive visual iconography of their epic theatre. When he was 16, the First World War broke out. Initially enthusiastic, Brecht soon changed his mind on seeing his classmates "swallowed by the army".
    [Show full text]
  • Bertolt Brecht, 19381
    THAT BOOK SHOULD BE BURNED: THE CONTESTED AFTERLIFE OF BERTOLT BRECHT NICHOLAS JOHNSON There can’t be any doubt about it any longer: the struggle against ideology has become a new ideology. —Bertolt Brecht, 19381 In 1994 John Fuegi, a career Brecht scholar and founder of the International Brecht Society, published his biography of Bertolt Brecht, entitled Brecht & Co: Sex, Politics, and the Making of the Modern Drama. The first biography of Brecht written with such a high level of access to unpublished materials and, more importantly, the first written since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the book was anticipated as a breakthrough. What it broke through, however, failed to please most Brecht scholars. The book shattered a mythology of Brecht as an icon and a genius, painting instead a picture of a heartless sociopath who drew talent around him by force of charisma, a political hero whose only political interest was in self-preservation, a rich man who masqueraded as poor and, above all, an exploiter of his female collaborator/mistresses to the point that his authorship of key works is called into question. Within a year of Brecht & Co’s publication, the International Brecht Society, now under new leadership, published in its Brecht Yearbook 20 a list of 452 errors, distortions, and omissions in Fuegi’s text. The authors of this report included a number of the most widely known Brecht scholars: John Willett, James K. Lyon, Siegfried Mews, and Hans Christian Nørregaard. Lyon’s introduction offers a damning summary of “carelessness,
    [Show full text]
  • A Level Drama and Theatre Topic Exploration Pack (Brecht)
    Topic Exploration Pack Practitioners: Brecht Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 2 Resources ....................................................................................................................................... 4 Activity 1 – Brecht and politics ......................................................................................................... 5 Activity 2 – Epic Theatre ................................................................................................................. 6 Activity 3 – Gestus .......................................................................................................................... 7 Resource 1 – Brecht quotes ............................................................................................................ 8 Resource 2 – Brecht and Marxism .................................................................................................. 9 Resource 3 – Epic Theatre techniques.......................................................................................... 11 This Topic Exploration Pack supports OCR A Level Drama and Theatre. Version 2 1 © OCR 2016 Introduction Bertolt Brecht was born into a middle-class family in Augsburg, Germany, at a time when the world was full of conflict and contradictions. The First World War broke out when he was just 16, heralding the beginning of a life of political, financial and personal instability for Brecht.
    [Show full text]
  • Walter Benjamin and Bertolt Brecht This Page Intentionally Left Blank Erdmut Wizisla
    Walter Benjamin and Bertolt Brecht This page intentionally left blank Erdmut Wizisla Walter Benjamin and Bertolt Brecht – the story of a friendship translated by Christine Shuttleworth Yale University Press New Haven and London First published as Walter Benjamin und Bertolt Brecht – Die Geschichte einer Freundschaft by Suhrkamp Verlag, Frankfurt, 2004. First published 2009 in English in the United Kingdom by Libris. First published 2009 in English in the United States by Yale University Press. Copyright © 2009 Libris. Translation copyright © 2009 Christine Shuttleworth. All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, including illustrations, in any form (beyond that copying permitted by Sections 107 and 108 of the U.S. Copyright Law and except by reviewers for the public press), without written permission from the publishers. Designed by Kitzinger, London. Printed in the United States of America. Library of Congress Control Number: 2009922943 isbn 978-0-300-13695-1 (hardcover : alk. paper) A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. This paper meets the requirements of ansi/niso z39.48‒1992 (Permanence of Paper). 10987654321 Contents List of Illustrations vi Publisher’s Note vii Chronology of the Relationship ix Map and time chart of Benjamin and Brecht xxvi I A Significant Constellation May 1929 1 A Quarrel Among Friends 9 II The Story of the Relationship First Meeting, A Literary Trial, Dispute over Trotsky, 1924–29 25 Stimulating Conversations, Plans for Periodicals, ‘Marxist Club’,
    [Show full text]
  • Performance Drawings
    PERFORMANCE DRAWINGS A drawing by Robert Wilson for his production of The Threepenny Opera. Ink and watercolor on paper, 120 x 80. Photo: Courtesy Robert Wilson. Downloaded from http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1162/pajj.2008.30.1.31 by guest on 30 September 2021 THE THREEPENNY OPERA Drawings Robert Wilson (Editor’s Note: This issue of PAJ inaugurates a new series, Performance Drawings, with the designs by Robert Wilson for his staging of the Brecht-Weill classic, The Threepenny Opera, which premiered on September 27, 2007, at the Berliner Ensemble, home of the original 1928 production. In future issues drawings from performance and visual arts, including forms of musical and dance notation, will be featured in special portfolios.) ith all of my work I see the stage abstractly. I start the sketches and drawings first. Once I know the space it is much easier for me to decide Wwhat to do in it. I made a decision at the beginning to have the stage space constructed with lines of light. There are only two lines in the world, a straight one and a curved one. The first scene is a series of circles fading in and out as in a carnival or fairground (curved lines). The final scene is framed by a draped red curtain (curved lines). All the other scenes are different compositions of straight lines. Either horizontal, perpendicular, or diagonal. The Peachum shop is a series or low screens with vertical and horizontal lines as if to suggest movable racks of clothes. There are seen from time to time in different configurations.
    [Show full text]