Along with Mother Courage, the character of Galileo is one of Brecht's greatest creations, immensely live, human and complex. Unable to resist his appetite for scientific investigation, Galileo's heretical discoveries about the solar system bring him to the attention of the Inquisition. He is scared into publicly abjuring his theories but, despite his self-contempt, goes on working in private, eventually helping to smuggle his writings out of the country.As an examination of the problems that face not only the scientist but also the whole spirit of free inquiry when brought into conflict with the requirements of government or official ideology, Life of Galileo has few equals.Written in exile in 1937-9 and first performed in Zurich in 1943, Galileo was first staged in English in 1947 by Joseph Losey in a version jointly prepared by Brecht and Charles Laughton, who played the title role. Printed here is the complete translation by Brecht scholar John Willett. The much shorter Laughton version is also included in full as an appendix, along with Brecht's own copious notes on the play making this the most trusted scholarly edition of the text.

Life of Galileo is a play of enduring significance and relevance in every age. Brecht is one of the most important dramatists of the twentieth century whose work is studied on every Theatre Studies course. A trusted translation plus Brecht's own copious notes on the play and all the important textual variants together with the full text of Charles Laughton's original translation.

About the Author
Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956) is acknowledged as one of the great dramatists whose work has had a considerable influence on the theatre. His landmark plays include Mother Courage and Her Children, The Threepenny Opera, Life of Galileo, and The Caucasian Chalk Circle. His plays and dramatic theory are central to the study of modern theatre.


Book Information
ISBN 9780413763808
Author Bertolt Brecht
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Methuen Drama
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Weight(grams) 279g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 17mm