Fri 2/9-Sun 2/25
German playwright Bertolt Brecht wrote his most famous and powerful play Mother Courage and Her Children in 1939; it was first performed in 1941. It got its American premiere at the Cleveland Play House in 1958.
Although set during the Thirty Years’ War in the 17th century, its reference to his own era and the grip of fascism in his own country was obvious. Brecht, born in 1898, became vehemently anti-war during World War I. He left Germany on Hitler’s rise to power in 1933, living in Czechoslovakia, Switzerland, France, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and finally the U.S., moving back to East Germany in the final year of his life (1949-1956).
Mother Courage reflects his views on the costs of war, even to those who appear to profit from it. In the play the central character sells provisions to soldiers during the war, but over time loses all three of her children to it. It also reflects his distinctive style. Unlike most playwrights, who want you to relate to and empathize with the characters, Brecht wants audiences to do the opposite, to maintain a distance from them in order to ponder their actions and what they mean. He employed a variety of theatrical devices such as use of narration and placards, standardized settings for all action, and actors changing characters.
Although the play isn’t an easy one to stage, Ensemble Theatre will be tackling it as its next production with a cast of 14. It will be performed at Notre Dame College’s Administrative Building Performing Arts Center Fridays and Saturdays @ 7:30pm and Sundays @ 2pm through Sunday February 25. Opening night will feature a catered reception.
For tickets and information, go to ensembletheatrecle.org/mother-courage.
South Euclid, OH 44121