Berliner Ensemble Adaptations: The Tutor; Coriolanus; The Trial of Joan of Arc at Rouen, 1431; Don Juan; Trumpets and Drums

<p>This volume contains Brecht's post-1950 adaptations of world dramatic classics for the Berliner Ensemble. Brecht's remodeled versions show all of the great dramatist's characteristic preoccupations: hatred of personal greatness, admiration of the people and hatred of war unless waged on behalf of the people who, to him, were the embodiment of wisdom and good sense.<br><i></i><br><i>The Tutor </i>is a 1950s adaptation of an 18th century play by J.M.R. Lenz and is a savage portrait of the subservience of German intellectuals and schoolmasters to the whims of the rich and powerful. <i></i><br><i></i><br><i>Coriolanus </i>is an unfinished adaptation of Shakespeare's play, using the Roman story to reflect Marxist theories of class struggle. <i></i><br><i></i><br><i>Don Juan, </i>a collaborative adaptation of Molière's play, redefines the charming social parasite as both a ridiculous egoist and an example of a dangerously attractive, theatrically mythic personality type. <i></i><br><i></i><br><i>The Trial of Joan of Arc at Rouen </i>adapts a radio play by Anna Seghers which was based on the original records of the trial of Joan of Arc. <i></i><br><i></i><br><i>Trumpets and Drums</i> is an adaptation of Farquhar's 18th century Restoration comedy <i>The Recruiting Officer</i>, which transfers the action to the American Civil War and introduces comments on imperialism and colonial conquest.</p>