Written in exile during the Second World War, the story of Brecht's classic play subverts an ancient Chinese tale - echoed in the Judgement of Solomon - in which two women claim the same child. The message of Brecht's parable is that resources should go to those who will make best use of them. Thanks to the rascally judge, Azdak, one of Brecht's most vivid creations, this story has a happy outcome: the child is entrusted to the peasant Grusha, who has loved and nurtured it.Published in Methuen Drama's Modern Classics series, this edition features an extensive introduction, Brecht's own notes on the play and a full appendix of textual variants. It is the standard critical edition of the work in an acclaimed translation by James and Tania Stern with W. H. Auden.

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 notes on the play and all the important textual variants. One of Brecht's most popular and frequently staged and studied works.

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, The Life of Galileo, and The Caucasian Chalk Circle. His plays and dramatic theory are central to the study of modern theatre.

Reviews
"One of the greatest poets and dramatists of our century" The Observer



Book Information
ISBN 9780413308504
Author Bertolt Brecht
Format Paperback
Page Count 144
Imprint Methuen Drama
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Weight(grams) 178g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 9mm