The Berliner Ensemble was founded by Bertolt Brecht and his wife Helene Weigel in 1949. The company soon gained international prominence, and its productions and philosophy influenced the work of theatre-makers around the world. David Barnett's book is the first study of the company in any language. Based on extensive archival research, it uncovers Brecht's working methods and those of the company's most important directors after his death. The book considers the boon and burden of Brecht's legacy, and provides new insights into battles waged behind the scenes for the preservation of the Brechtian tradition. The Berliner Ensemble was also the German Democratic Republic's most prestigious cultural export, attracting attention from the highest circles of government, and from the Stasi, before it privatised itself after German reunification in 1990. Barnett pieces together a complex history that sheds light on both the company's groundbreaking productions and their turbulent times.
Über den Autor David Barnett
David N. Barnett is an expert online brand protection consultant and analyst. He was born in London in 1976 and is a graduate of the University of Cambridge. He has 20 years' experience in the online brand protection industry, serving clients across a range of sectors and industries. Since 2023 he has been working as Brand Protection Strategist at Stobbs, a brand advisory consultancy and legal service provider. David is an experienced thought leader, with an extensive portfolio of articles and experience of speaking at industry events and is also author of Brand Protection in the Online World, published December 2016.