Brecht on Theatre: The Development of an Aesthetic Chapter Summary & Analysis - Part 1, 1918-1932 (Augsburg, Munich, Berlin), Section 1 Summary

Part 1, 1918-1932 (Augsburg, Munich, Berlin), Section 1 Summary and Analysis

Frank Wedekind - This essay, at times written quite poetically, is a tribute to the energy and spirit of once-renowned German playwright Frank Wedekind, noting the intensity of his work and personality.

A Reckoning - In writing a sharp-edged criticism of the general shabbiness of the theatre in Augsburg, Brecht contrasts it with the opera, comparing the two art forms in terms of their popularity with audiences, the money spent, and the quality of the performers brought in to perform, with opera (in his opinion) always coming out better.

Emphasis on Sport - Here Brecht contrasts theatre and sport, suggesting that the former is not as popular as the latter partly because audiences don't know what to expect from theatre and partly because theatre lacks the sense of fun and adventurousness that, he suggests, is inherent in sports. He proposes that theatre become fun and become more connected...
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