Customer Reviews (3)

THE REVOLUTIONAT THE BASE
More than one socialist commentator has noted that a revolution is made at the base of society by a combination of experiences that cause the masses to throw of their former servitude, indifference or fear and just go for it. Needless to say those times are few and far between so that it is important to study the mechanics of those changes even if, as here, they are changes in overwhelmingly agrarian Russia just entering the capitalist production process in the early 20th century. I believe, as Brecht obviously did when he brought it to the theater in highly industrialized Germany, that those same sentiments would also be expressed in more developed capitalist societies when tensions reached the breaking point.

Brecht has adapted for the stage this story written by the great Russian writer, and sometime revolutionary, Maxim Gorky. The story line in both cases is fairly straight forward. A working class mother with roots still on the farm is fearful that her son's Bolshevik revolutionary activities will bring disaster on him and the family. As the story unfolds and the son's commitment grows in line with the government's repressive policies the mother starts, slowly, very slowly, to get the point of his work. Along the way her own `politics' change and by the end she is as committed to the cause as her son. Her banner is now red.

On the stage this story gets told amid banners and music that add to the dramatic effect. In either format this is a powerful story and good piece of socialist propaganda. I remember an old German Communist Party member once telling me that in his youth he was actually recruited to the Communist Youth League by this play. Apparently the German CP set up literature tables in the lobby of the theater and at intermission and the end would sign up theater patrons after they had experienced the play.

Read and perform this play!
What a wonderful play! This play is set in Russia and is about the transformation of Pelagea Vlassova, an illiterate, somewhat narrow and worn, older woman. She starts out suspicious of her son's new friends -- a group of young Bolsheviks who make leaflets in her home! They endanger, she feels, her already precarious and poverty stricken existence. But as she questions and observes these youth she is drawn into the revolution and comes alive, changing into a badass revolutionary herself: creative, daring and courageous. Music and song accompany her transformation -- and the fourth wall is broken many times as the actors take turns talking frankly to the audience about the story as it unfolds.

A Politically Provoking Play.
Originally based on a novel by Gorsky, the play is set in Russia during the throws of revolution. We follow the 'motherly' character of Pelagea Vlasova as she becommes entwined with her son's political movements in thehopes of liberating the working class. Against the turmoil of Russia'stroubled nation, the play prevokes a political awakening in both theaudience and the character of Pelagea Vlasova herself. This has to be oneof Brecht's most 'Brechtian'works. Strongly in the style of AlexanderSolzhnenitsyn, not only is it an excellent read, but it also stronglyunderlines Brecht's political views against the shadow of the repressedproletariate.His many unique styles of theatre are woven into the highlycontroversial text, with examples of his 'verfremdungsteffekt' methodsshining through the script. This play is a must for any Brecht followers,and will also appeal to anyone interested in the Marxist movement and it'spolitical ideas and concepts. The play is simply brilliant for those of uswho want to read something that actually makes us stop and think. It is apiece of literature that has the benifit of being entertaining as well aseducating, a tricky combination to master. Written with Brecht's usualflair for the ironic, the play will move you steadily through a rainbow ofemmotions until at last we come to a climatic conclusion; not so much inatmosphere, as in ideas. ... Read more

Book Description

Bertolt Brecht's operatic play produced with Elisabeth Hauptmann, Caspar Neher, and Kurt Weill was first staged in 1930. Translated and with commentary by Steve Giles, this critical edition is the first translation into English of the approved Versuche text of 19301931.

Customer Reviews (1)

An overlooked gem
I must admit I am a Brecht fan boy. "The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny" was on my to read list for a long time. However, I was having trouble finding it. So when I saw it a used bookstore I snapped it up and read it immediatly. I was not disapointed. "The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny" revists many of the themes Brecht first explored in "The Three Penny Opera". He explores the relationship between morality and poverty in our consumer focused capitalist society. Although written some half century ago it is still relevant today. I don't want to make it sound like a polemic. The plot, charachters and absurd yet real situations draw us in. While less known that "Mother Courages" and "The Three Penny Opera" -- likely because it sacrifices entertainment for clear and bitting politics -- "The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny" deserves just as much respect. ... Read more

Book Description

Term paper due tomorrow? Need to cram for a test? Or just looking for the best information about a favorite literary work?

Turn to "Drama for Students" to get your research done in record time. Brought to you by Thomson Gale--the world's leading source of literary criticism and analysis--this e-doc contains: plot summary; character analysis; author biography; an overview of the play's themes, style, and historical context; a compendium of in-depth critical material; study questions; suggestions for further reading; and much more.

Why choose "Drama for Students"? Because no other source offers so much in such a compact package. Trust the experts: Thomson Gale--and "Drama for Students."Download Description

Term paper due tomorrow? Need to bone up for a test? Or just looking for the best information about a favorite literary work?

Turn to "Drama for Students" to get your research done in record time. Brought to you by the Gale Group--the world's leading source of literary criticism and analysis--this e-doc contains: plot summary; character analysis; author biography; an overview of the play's themes, style, and historical context; a compendium of in-depth critical material; study questions; suggestions for further reading; and much more.

Why choose "Drama for Students"? Because no other source offers so much in such a compact package. Trust the experts: The Gale Group--and "Drama for Students." ... Read more