Bertolt Brecht
Bertolt Brecht, born Eugen Berthold Friedrich Brecht on February 10, 1898, in Augsburg, Germany, was a prominent German playwright, poet, and theatre director. He became a key figure in 20th-century theatre, known for his development of epic theatre and his contributions to non-Aristotelian drama. Brecht's early life in Bavaria was marked by a middle-class upbringing, with influences from his devout Protestant mother and Pietist grandmother. He studied medicine in Munich and served in an army hospital during World War I.
Brecht's theatrical career began in Munich with his first play, "Baal" (1918), and his first major success, "Drums in the Night" (1922). In 1924, he moved to Berlin, where he collaborated with notable figures like Kurt Weill, resulting in the acclaimed "The Threepenny Opera" (1928). He also worked with Hanns Eisler and developed his theory of epic theatre, emphasizing a dialectical approach to drama.
Fleeing Nazi Germany in 1933, Brecht lived in Scandinavia before moving to the United States in 1941, where he worked in Hollywood. However, his alleged Communist affiliations led to his interrogation by the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1947. Subsequently, Brecht returned to Europe, settling in East Berlin in 1948. There, he co-founded the Berliner Ensemble with his wife, actress Helene Weigel.
Brecht's notable works include "Mother Courage and Her Children," "The Life of Galileo," and "The Caucasian Chalk Circle." His plays often addressed social and political issues, reflecting his Marxist beliefs. Brecht died on August 14, 1956, in East Berlin, leaving a lasting legacy as a revolutionary figure in theatre. His influence extends to film adaptations of his plays and the continued relevance of his theatrical innovations.
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