The Threepenny Opera

Joan of the Stockyard, resulting in what appeared to be the end of Brecht in England. A few weeks after the incident, however, the Berliner Ensemble brought Aurturo Ui, The Threepenny Opera, The Days of the Commune, and excerpts from Mahagonny to London. The second visit of the Berliner Ensemble perhaps marks the real beginning of the influence of the British Epic Theatre, as up until then, the understanding of Brecht was extremely

Selections from Frauenliebe und –Leben open the program with an early insight of the perception of women. This song cycle follows a woman’s life through the view of her relationship with a man, while highlighting her lack of individuality and independence without this man. “Seit ich ihn gesehen” (tr. “Since I Saw Him”) claims that the man is the only thing upon which the speaker can focus. The falling motives present throughout this movement highlight her complete infatuation with her love to the

Epic theatre (German: episches Theater) is a theatrical movement arising in the early to mid-20th century from the theories and practice of a number of theatre practitioners who responded to the political climate of the time through the creation of a new political theatre. These practitioners included Erwin Piscator, Vladimir Mayakovsky, Vsevolod Meyerhold and, most famously, Bertolt Brecht.The term "epic theatre" comes from Erwin Piscator who coined it during his first year as director of Berlin's

‘Machinal’ is a piece of expressionistic theatre (Reesman, 1997) that was written by American journalist Sophie Treadwell, in 1928. ‘Machinal’ is based on the life of convicted murderer Ruth Snyder who was executed in January 1928 for the murder of her husband, which is similar to what happens to the character of ‘Young Woman’ as the piece progresses. ‘Machinal’ follows a young woman who lives with her mother who marries her boss. The young woman has a baby with her husband, and then she has an affair

leerstellings van die Duitse leier, Adolf Hitler en Nasionale Sosialisme (ook bekend as Nazisme). In 1932 was Brecht geplaas op die Nazi Party se lys van agteruitgaande skrywers. Die drama wat waarskynlik die hoofoorsaak hiervan was was The Threepenny Opera (1928) ‘n skerp satiere gefokus op kapitalisme. Die jaar daarop (1933) toe Hitler aanbewind kom, word Brecht en sy vrou verban uit Duitsland. Eers het hulle gevlug na Denemarke. Na ‘n paar jaar van hull ewe daar het hulle hulself gevestig in

In Angels in America, Tony Kushner’s characters suffer through loss of health, life, and love. Colossal suffering and grief eventually lead to discovery and growth. The main quartet of characters – Louis Ironson, Prior Walter, Joe and Harper Pitt– have many differences, but, aside from their grief, a common characteristic allows for their conjoined relevancy. Each is a member of a group that is somehow marginalized in their society, whether it stems from their sexuality, illness, or personal identity

Bertolt Brecht was born in a German town called Augsburg, on the 10th February 1898. Before 1924, he continued to live in Bavaria where he studied medicine in Munich from 1917-1921. In 1918, Brecht worked helping at an Army hospital during the First World War, and in doing so, started creating his own plays. In this time, he wrote plays such as: ‘Trommeln in der Nacht’ (Drums in the Night – 1922), ‘Baal’ (produced in 1923) and his primary professional production: ‘Edward II’ (1924). After being so

The Cold War was a pivotal time in American history. To a greater degree than most other wars, the Cold War affected American society in unfathomable and profound ways. More specifically, American culture transformed immensely during this time. From a constant state of anxiety, to changes in media and the arts, to McCarthyism; the Cold War fervently affected the quality of life, personal expression, and American politics. Predominantly, the Cold War inflicted fear and apprehension within the American

This year we have been studying ‘The Metamorphosis’ by playwright Steven Berkoff; an adaptation of the novel by Franz Kafka. The play follows the story of Gregor, a working-class man who goes to sleep one evening and wakes up having transformed into a cockroach-like insect. The scene from the play that we have used as a stimulus was the scene in which Gregor actually transforms from a respected and depended upon son to being an alienated insect who is a burden to his family. In support of these themes

Courtney Cox 5-4-10 THEA 1334 Final Paper Costume Design THE ROLE OF COSTUME DESIGN IN MUSICAL THEATER Imagine a classic Shakespearian play or Italian opera performed in hip-hugging jeans or baggy t-shirts; or imagine the period musical 1776, produced by the wonderful Stuart Ostrow, performed in the groovy attire of the 1970s. These performances would seem completely out of place and confusing. One would not be able to grasp the completeness of the story or have any understanding of the time