Brecht and Co.

German-speaking playwrights have exercised a considerable if subtle influence on Australian theatre history. Presenting a range of paradigmatic case studies, this book offers a detailed account of Australian productions of German-language drama between 1945 and 1996. The reception of Bertolt Brecht is used as a touchstone for analysing stagings of plays by writers such as Max Frisch, Rolf Hochhuth, Peter Handke and Franz Xaver Kroetz. In addition, more recent developments in the reception of German drama on the Australian stage are discussed.

The Author: Ulrike Garde is Lecturer in German Studies at Macquarie University, Sydney. Her research focuses on German literature and the performing arts. Her recent publications analyse the creation of cultural identities and Australian-German cross-cultural relationships with a focus on the Australian reception of German-language drama. Some of her contributions appeared in the and the

«‘Brecht & Co.’ is a major research work that not only historicizes Brecht within a distant theater tradition, but opens up a new archival vein for scholars and practitioners alike. Brecht would have liked the light touch of this original and quietly observed research, which also makes an important contribution to Australian theater history.» (Denise Varney, The Brecht Yearbook) «Der Arbeit kommt (...) ganz ohne Zweifel der Status einer beachtlichen Pionierleistung zu, die eine wertvolle Basis für jede weitere Beschäftigung mit der Rezeption deutschsprachiger Theaterliteratur in Austalien legt.» (Franz-Josef Deiters, Limbus)

Contents: The context of the Australian Brecht reception – Receiving Brecht in the late 1950s up to the 1990s – Plays by other German-speaking playwrights and the Australian-German cross-cultural relationship – Early productions in English and German – Plays by Max Frisch and Friedrich Dürrenmatt – Rolf Hochhuth, – Plays by Peter Handke – Play-readings and other cultural initiatives at the Goethe Institute in Sydney – Translations and adaptations of German plays in the 1980s – reports on Australian theatre in 1986 – Discussions about Australian theatre criticism in the 1980 – Productions of Franz Xaver Kroetz’ – Barrie Kosky’s production of – Michael Kantor’s production of – «We must find our own voice». Noel Tovey directs – Recent developments, outlook and conclusion. Inhaltsverzeichnis