Brecht on Theatre – John Willett

Title: Brecht on Theatre

Editor & Translator: John Willett

Publisher: Methuen & Co.

Edition & Year: 1964 Edition

Pages & Size: 294 pages · 6 × 9.5 in · Hardcover

Brecht on Theatre is an essential anthology that brings together the key essays, notes, and reflections of Bertolt Brecht, meticulously edited and translated by John Willett. First published by Methuen & Co. in 1964, this landmark edition presents Brecht’s profound and provocative ideas about the nature of theatre, its social function, and its potential to provoke intellectual engagement rather than passive entertainment.

Across its 294 pages, the book explores Brecht’s theory of “epic theatre,” which challenged traditional dramatic conventions and sought to awaken critical awareness in audiences. Through writings on acting, dramaturgy, scenography, and production practices, Brecht articulates a vision of theatre as a medium of enlightenment — one that educates, questions, and transforms society.

John Willett’s translation and editorial commentary make this collection accessible while preserving the sharpness and originality of Brecht’s thought. The book includes seminal essays such as A Short Organum for the Theatre, Alienation Effects in Chinese Acting, and Theatre for Pleasure or Theatre for Instruction, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of Brecht’s dramatic innovations.

Bound in a 6 × 9.5 inch hardcover, this 1964 edition stands as a cornerstone for theatre students, researchers, and enthusiasts of 20th-century cultural theory. Whether used for academic study or artistic inspiration, Brecht on Theatre continues to shape conversations around performance, ideology, and the power of art to reflect and reshape the world.

• Edited and translated by John Willett, the foremost English interpreter of Brecht’s works

• Comprehensive selection of essays outlining Brecht’s “epic theatre” and critical methodology

• Insightful commentary on performance theory, stagecraft, and social engagement

• Durable 1964 Methuen & Co. hardcover edition (6 × 9.5 in)

• Essential reference for students, dramatists, directors, and scholars of modern theatre