Bertolt Brecht Headshot

Bertolt Brecht

Date of Death: August 14, 1956 (58)

Birth Place: Augsburg, GERMANY

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Bertolt Brecht BIO

Bertolt Brecht was a German playwright, director, and poet who is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in 20th-century theatre. Born on February 10, 1898, in Augsburg, Germany, Brecht was the son of a Catholic father and a Protestant mother. He studied medicine at the University of Munich but soon turned his attention to writing and theatre.
Brecht's first major success as a playwright came with his play "Drums in the Night," which premiered in 1922. The play was a critical and commercial success and established Brecht as a major figure in German theatre. He went on to write several other plays, including "In the Jungle of Cities" (1923), "The Threepenny Opera" (1928), and "The Mother" (1932).
Brecht's plays were known for their political and social commentary, and he often used his work to critique capitalism and the rise of fascism in Germany. He was a committed Marxist and believed that theatre should be used as a tool for social change. His plays were also known for their use of "alienation" techniques, which were designed to distance the audience from the action on stage and encourage them to think critically about what they were seeing.
In addition to his work as a playwright, Brecht was also a prolific director and producer. He founded the Berliner Ensemble in 1949, which became one of the most important theatre companies in Europe. He also worked extensively in film, writing and directing several movies, including "Kuhle Wampe" (1932) and "The Threepenny Opera" (1931).
Brecht's influence on theatre and performance is still felt today. His ideas about theatre as a tool for social change and his use of alienation techniques have been adopted by many contemporary theatre practitioners. His plays continue to be performed around the world, and his influence can be seen in the work of playwrights and directors from Samuel Beckett to Tony Kushner.
Brecht died on August 14, 1956, in East Berlin, Germany. His most recent work was the play "The Caucasian Chalk Circle," which was first performed in 1948.

Bertolt Brecht STAGE CREDITS

Bertolt Brecht Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2014]
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Bertolt Brecht Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 1970 - Oustanding Lyrics

Bertolt Brecht, The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahogonny

Tony Awards - 1963 - Best Play

Bertolt Brecht, Mother Courage and Her Children

Evening Standard Awards - 1962 - Best Play

Bertolt BrechtThe Caucasian Chalk Circle

Bertolt Brecht Videos

Bertolt Brecht News


Victoria Blunt Will Perform Additional VANYA Performance in October

Victoria Blunt will perform a public understudy performance of Chekhov’s VANYA adapted by Simon Stephens at the Duke of York’s Theatre on 6 October at 3pm. Learn more about the show and find out how to get tickets here!

Reimagining of THE THREEPENNY OPERA Comes to The Cockpit This Month

OVO, the award-winning theatre production company, presents a riotous and rough reimagining of Bertolt Brecht’s zany musical The ThreePenny Opera at The Cockpit this September. Learn more about the production and find out how to get tickets here!

Cast Set For TRUEMAN AND THE ARSONISTS at the Studio Theatre at the Roundhouse

represent. has announced full casting for Max Frisch’s Biedermann und die Brandstifter - Trueman and the Arsonists - in a new version by Simon Stephens, with songs by Chris Thorpe.   Learn more about the production and find out who is starring here!

THE THREEPENNY OPERA Comes to the Cockpit

OVO, the award winning St Albans-based production company, and The Cockpit, London’s theatre of ideas and disruptive panache, present an inventive new production of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill’s seminal musical The Threepenny Opera.  

HB Playwrights Theatre Performs a Scene From NEW YEAR'S DAY (SAE HAE) by Youlim Nam

New Year's Day (Sae Hae), a full-length play written by Youlim Nam, is set to showcase a reprisal of one of its scenes at the HB Playwrights Theatre as part of The Independent Study Project Lab on August 20th, 2023 at 3 pm.

TheaterWorks Hartford Unveils 2023-2024 Season & Details for All-Female Musical LIZZIE

Get ready for an exciting season at TheaterWorks Hartford as they reveal their lineup for 2023-2024, including the highly anticipated all-female musical 'LIZZIE'. Immerse yourself in the powerful and captivating story of 'LIZZIE' and experience the unforgettable theater experience that TheaterWorks Hartford has in store for you.

John W. Engeman Theater Announces Cast and Creative Team for URINETOWN THE MUSICAL

The John W. Engeman Theater has announce dthe cast and creative team of URINETOWN THE MUSICAL. Performances will take place on Monday, August 7, 2023 and Tuesday, August 8, 2023.

URINETOWN THE MUSICAL Comes to The John W. Engeman Theater Next Week

The John W. Engeman Theater has announced the cast and creative team of URINETOWN THE MUSICAL. Performances will take place on Monday, August 7, 2023 and Tuesday, August 8, 2023.  

Under 30s Lottery Launched For VANYA at the Duke of York's Theatre

The under 30s ticket lottery has been announced for Vanya at Duke of York’s Theatre. Patrons can enter to be in with a chance to purchase £10 tickets for the first West End performance of Vanya on 15 September 2023.

URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL To Open At Four County Players

Don't miss the highly-anticipated and thought-provoking satire, URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL, opening at Four County Players. Get all the details on dates, tickets, and the talented cast in this article.

LUNGS, THE ISLAND, and More Set For Ensemble Theatre's 2023-24 Season

Ensemble Theatre celebrates its second season in their new location with the 44th Season, 2023-2024: A Season Of Justice' When Standing By Isn't Enough!  Learn more about the full season lineup here!

The York Theatre Company to Present the Return of the MUSICALS IN MUFTI Series

Discover the magic of The York Theatre Company's Musicals in Mufti series, where celebrated musicals are brought to life in an intimate and stripped-down format. Immerse yourself in the timeless melodies and captivating stories of classic musical theater. Don't miss the highly anticipated return of this acclaimed series.

Joe McGann and Jake Norton Premiere New Play SOBER COMPANION at Liverpool Theatre Festival

Liverpool Theatre Festival returns in less than two weeks – and one highlight of the 11-day programme is Sober Companion, a specially commissioned new play co-written and co-starring Liverpool-born actor Joe McGann and Jake Norton. 

TWELFTH NIGHT Filmed Live At The Wilma Theater to Stream This Summer

Digital theater trailblazer The Wilma Theater is offering a streaming version of its onstage production of TWELFTH NIGHT, available to view on demand through July 23.

27 Theater Books for Your Summer 2023 Reading List

From theatre biographies to theatre fiction; theatre books for kids to theatre history; check out our collection of 27 new Broadway books for every theatre lover's Summer reading list.

A New Version of TRUEMAN AND THE ARSONISTS Comes to Studio Theatre at the Roundhouse in October

Following its inaugural season in 2021, represent., a theatre company for actors from a lower socio-economic background, today announces a new version of Max Frisch's Biedermann und die Brandstifter (“Biedermann and the Firestarters”): Trueman and the Arsonists, by Simon Stephens, with songs by Chris Thorpe.

Alumnos De La ENAT Iniciaron Prácticas Escénicas Con El Alma Buena De Se-Chuan, De Bertolt Brecht

El contraste entre la bondad y la firmeza, y cómo la gente abusa de esa generosidad, así como los vericuetos del amor incondicional son algunos de los temas abordados en la versión de El alma buena de Se-Chuan, del dramaturgo alemán Bertolt Brecht, dirigida por Antonio Algarra, como parte del programa Un Brecht. Tres obras. 

World Premiere of Juliette Dunn's THE PUZZLE Extended at Hedgerow Theatre Company

Hedgerow Theatre announced both a one-week extension and a virtual streaming option of the company's Barrymore Recommended world premiere production of The Puzzle by Juliette Dunn.

Theatro Sao Pedro presents Weill and Brecht's THE YES SAYER and THE FLIGHT ACROSS THE OCEAN

Opening on May 11th, the double program will be musically directed by Ira Levin, who heads the Orchestra do Thetro Sao Pedro and directed by Alexandre Dal Farra. The recital on May 12, Friday, will be broadcast for free on the YouTube channel of Theatro Sao Pedro.

El Teatro Del Bosque Julio Castillo, Recinto Representativo En El ámbito Escénico Nacional E Internacional

La Secretaría de Cultura federal y el Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (Inbal), a través de la Coordinación Nacional de Teatro, celebra este 3 de mayo el 66 aniversario del Teatro del Bosque Julio Castillo. Sin duda, este recinto es uno de los espacios que ha consagrado el patrimonio teatral mexicano, a través de personajes, historias y propuestas que han retratado por más de seis décadas el quehacer de la comunidad artística en nuestro país. 

Bertolt Brecht FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Bertolt Brecht has written 36 shows including Die Sieben Todsünden (Lyricist), Mother (Playwright), Galileo (Playwright), The Good Woman of Setzuan (Playwright), Brecht on Brecht (Lyricist), Man is Man (Playwright), A Man's a Man (Bookwriter), Mother Courage and Her Children (Playwright), Brecht on Brecht (Source Material), Baal (Playwright), The Exception and the Rule/ The Prodigal Son (Playwright), The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Playwright), Drums in the Night (Playwright), The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Playwright), The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny (Libretto), The Rise and Fall of The City of Mahagonny (Bookwriter), The Good Woman of Setzuan (Playwright), Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill (Lyricist), The Measures Taken (Playwright), Downfall of the Egotist Johann Fatzer (Playwright), Happy End (Bookwriter/Lyricist), A Kurt Weill Cabaret (Lyricist), Mother Courage and Her Children (Playwright), The Antigone of Sophokles (Playwright), An Evening with Ekkehard Schall (Material), The Threepenny Opera (Bookwriter/Lyricist), The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Playwright), The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Playwright), In the Jungle of Cities (Playwright), Here Lies Jenny (Lyricist), Here Lies Jenny (Lyricist), Mother Courage (Playwright), LoveMusik (Lyricist), The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Playwright), Good Person of Szechwan (Playwright), A Man's a Man (Playwright).

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Happy End , Oustanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahogonny Best Play (Tony Awards) for Mother Courage and Her Children and Best Play (Evening Standard Awards) for The Caucasian Chalk Circle .

Oustanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahogonnyand Best Play (Evening Standard Awards) for The Caucasian Chalk Circle.

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