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Mother Courage and Her Children

Series: Modern Plays
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( 22,989 ratings, 815 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
This adaptation of Bertolt Brecht's acclaimed anti-war play, reworked by David Hare, chronicles the grim journey of Mother Courage during the Thirty Years War. As she follows armies across Europe, selling supplies from her wagon, she tragically loses her children to the ravages of conflict but clings fiercely to her livelihood.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Suitable for readers interested in classic theatre, anti-war narratives, and the development of Epic Theatre.

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This is David Hare's version of Brecht's classic play which was premiered by the National Theatre, London, in November 1995.

This is David Hare's version of Brecht's classic play which was premiered by the National Theatre, London, in November 1995.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

This version of Brecht's great anti-war play by playwright David Hare was premiered by the National Theatre, London, in November 1995. It adopts a freer approach to the text than many editions, adapting the original rather than offering a close translation.

In this chronicle of the Thirty Years War, Mother Courage follows the armies back and forth across Europe, selling provisions and liquor from her canteen wagon. One by one she loses her children to the war but will not part with her livelihood—the wagon.

The Berlin production of 1949, with Helene Weigel as Mother Courage, marked the foundation of the Berliner Ensemble. Considered by many to be one of the greatest anti-war plays ever written and Brecht's masterpiece, it remains a powerful example of Brecht's Epic Theatre and pioneering theatrical style.

Series: Modern Plays

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Theatre Journal praises this edition as "the definitive translations of one of the 20th century's most influential playwrights...Far superior to the competition."

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780413702906

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 13 November 1995

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Methuen Drama

Edition: New edition

Contributors:

  • Edited by David Hare
  • Translated by David Hare
  • Edited by David Hare
  • Translated by David Hare

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 7.0mm

Width: 196.0mm

Height: 128.0mm

Weight: 132g

Pages: 112

About the Author

A major dramatist of the twentieth century, Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956) was the founder of one of the most influential theatre companies, the Berliner Ensemble, and the creator of some of the landmark plays of the twentieth century: The Threepenny Opera, The Life of Galileo, Mother Courage and The Caucasian Chalk Circle. His plays and dramatic theory are central to the study of modern theatre.

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  • Mother Courage and Her Children
    In this chronicle of the European Thirty Years War, taking place between the years 1624 and 1636, Mother Courage follows the armies back and forth across Europe, selling provisions and liquor from her canteen wagon to whomever she can. One by one she loses her children to the war but will not part with her livelihood—the wagon. The Berlin production...
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