Bertolt Brecht

<p>Bertolt Brecht’s methods of collective experimentation, and his unique framing of the theatrical event as a forum for change, placed him among the most important contributors to the theory and practice of theatre. His work continues to have a significant impact on performance practitioners, critics and teachers alike. Now revised and reissued, this book combines:</p><ul> <p> </p> <li>an overview of the key periods in Brecht’s life and work</li> <p> </p> <li>a clear explanation of his key theories, including the renowned ideas of <i>Gestus</i> and <i>Verfremdung</i> </li> <p> </p> <li>an account of his groundbreaking 1954 production of <i>The Caucasian Chalk Circle</i> </li> <p> </p> <li>an in-depth analysis of his practical exercises and rehearsal methods.</li> </ul><p>As a first step towards critical understanding, and as an initial exploration before going on to further, primary research, <strong>Routledge Performance Practitioners</strong><em> </em>are an invaluable resource for students and scholars.</p> <p>1. A LIFE OF FLUX Which Brecht? On the make: from Bavaria to Berlin (1898–1924) Changing the world: Weimar politics (1924–33) On the run: exile in Europe and America (1933–47) Building a collective: Brecht in the GDR (1947–56) Brecht today? 2. BRECHT’S KEY THEORIES Brecht in dialogue Brecht’s key concerns Getting the gist of <i>Gestus </i>Verfremdung<i> </i>and V-effects Historicization: questioning the present through the past The modern theatre is the epic theatre Dialectics in the theatre Brecht’s socialist realism: imitation meets experimentation Conclusion 3. <em>THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE</em>: A MODEL PRODUCTION Prologue: a model A historicizing epic A Berliner Ensemble show Epilogue: ‘The proof of the pudding is in the eating’ 4. PRACTICAL EXERCISES AND WORKSHOP Preparing for spectActorship Section One: remembering exercises from the past Section Two: a workshop for Brechtians Conclusion </p>