Skip to main content
1962

Brecht on Brecht

Written by George Tabori

Play Details

Context

Artistic Director 
George Devine

Dates Performed

Tuesday 11th September 1962
Main House (Downstairs)

Play Details

Synopsis

A theatrical collage spanning time and space, reflecting the life and work of one of the 20th century’s most influential playwrights.

Brecht on Brecht is a kaleidoscopic journey through the mind and writings of Bertolt Brecht. Assembled by George Tabori in 1963, this theatrical mosaic weaves together Brecht’s poems, play excerpts, and personal reflections to create a vivid portrait of the artist and his ideas.

The piece is a masterful exploration of Brechtian philosophy and theatrical innovation. Through carefully curated selections, audiences are immersed in Brecht’s world, encountering his biting social critique, anti-war sentiments, and revolutionary approach to theatre. The non-linear structure mirrors Brecht’s own epic theatre techniques, encouraging viewers to engage critically with the material rather than passively absorb it.

As the performance unfolds, key themes from Brecht’s work emerge: the struggle against fascism, the plight of the working class, and the power of art to effect social change. By presenting Brecht’s words in this collage format, Tabori creates a work that is simultaneously a biography, a political statement, and a celebration of theatrical possibilities.

Director(s)

John Bird

Poster credit

Poster courtesy of V&A Theatre and Performance Archive

Cast & Creative

Cast

George Devine

Cast

Barry Foster

Cast

Valerie Gearon

Cast

Lotte Lenya

Cast

Norman Rossington

Designer

Kurt Weill

Designer

Hans Eisler

Designer

Paul Dessau

Sound

Bertolt Brecht