How Bertolt Brecht Managed to Forge a Defamiliarized World Theater

Abstract

This chapter argues that Brecht's global influence on the development of political theaters has been complex and diverse but that nuanced reception is hampered by limited translation, an exoticization of Asian countries, and an over‐focus on certain theoretical essays in the West. Free adaptation of plays timed at particular political moments in specific communities has been vitally important for dissemination, and left‐wing writers, directors, dramaturgs, and actors continue to be very important in spreading Brecht's work. Intercultural Brecht projects have increased the artistic exchange of knowledge in the mainstream but work in local non‐English‐speaking communities continues to be under‐researched.