Description
Book SynopsisFritz Bennewitz (1926-1995) was the director-in-chief of East Germany''s Weimar National Theatre. Extraordinary in his capacity for cultural and linguistic adjustment, he directed productions in twelve countries, always adapting shows to make them meaningful to local audiences. Notably, Bennewitz conducted stagings of Goethe''s Faust in four different languages over a series of seven productions three in pre-unification Weimar, one in the reunited Germany, and one each in New York, Manila, and Mumbai.
The first comprehensive account of Bennewitz''s remarkable career, Bennewitz, Goethe, Faust is also a pioneering study of intercultural interpretations of Faust. David G. John brings to light previously unknown archival materials including annotated playbooks, correspondence, translations, videos, and reception information as well as unpublished production photos from the stagings discussed in the book. Bennewitz, Goethe, Faust makes a cogent
Trade Review
'This unique introduction to the work of a pivotal GDR Faust interpreter fills a gap in scholarship and offers stimulus for future research. Highly recommended' -- E. Wickersham Choice Magazine, vol 50:02:2012
Table of Contents
Abbreviations Foreword Documentation Part I Bennewitz 1. Persona and Theory * Slim Recognition* Biography* Split Personality* Politics* Dogma and Theory 2. Peers * Erika Stephan* Dieter G rne* Wolfgang Engel Part II The German Fausts: Chronicle of a Society 3. Hooray for Socialism! Weimar 1965/67 * Background* Audience Preparation* The Performance* Essential Features* Critical Reception* The Party Line* Conclusion 4. Hooray for Socialism? Weimar 1975 * Background* Audience Preparation* The Performance* Essential Features* Critical Reception* The Party Line* Conclusion 5. Socialism? Weimar 1981/82 * Background* Audience and Cast Preparation* The Performance* Essential Features* Critical Reception* The Party Line* Conclusion 6. Alles f r die Katz': Meiningen 1995 * Background* The Performance* Critical Reception* Conclusion Part III The Intercultural Fausts 7. The First Black Gretchen: New York 1978 * Background* The Performance* Performance Consciousness* Critical Reception* Conclusion 8. The Hindu Faust: Bombay 1994 * Background* The Performance* Critical Reception* Aftermath* Conclusion 9. The Christian Faust: Manila 1994 * Background* The Performance* Critical Reception* Aftermath* Conclusion 10. From Loyalist to Intercultural Pioneer Part IV Documentation Bibliography Appendices * Highlight Biography* Travels* Plays directed* Holdings of the Fritz Bennewitz Archive in Leipzig: A Treasure Trove for Researchers Index
