Messingkauf Dialogues (Modern Classics)

Brecht's most important treatise on theatre

The Messingkauf dialogues are the longest but in some ways the most light hearted of all Brecht's discussions of theatre. Here Actor, Actress, Dramaturg (or literary adviser) and Electrician argue with the Brechtian Philosopher who wants to exploit their talent for his own purposes. The result is a lively debate about the place of art in society.

Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956) is acknowledged as one of the great dramatists whose plays, work with the Berliner Ensemble and critical writings have had a considerable influence on the theatre. His landmark plays include The Threepenny Opera, Fear and Misery of the Third Reich, The Life of Galileo, Mother Courage and Her Children and The Caucasian Chalk Circle.

John Willett (1917-2002) was the greatest English language authority on Brecht the writer and man of the theatre. The foremost translator and editor of Brecht's drama, poetry, letters, diaries, theatrical essays and fiction, Willett produced a dozen volumes for Methuen Drama on the greatest modern German writer.