Mother Courage and Her Children
Mother Courage and Her Children
National Theatre
This collection comprises of a series of short documentaries created around Deborah Warner's 2009 production of Mother Courage and Her Children. Fiona Shaw in the title role of Tony Kushner’s inventive and vigorous translation of Bertolt Brecht’s uncompromising masterpiece. This collection includes videos on Brecht, the music performed live by Duke Special and a behind the scenes look at Fiona Shaw as she prepares to go on stage.
Brechtian theatre coming to life
Making creative suggestions is key to Brecht's work. This film looks at his theoretical work.
Apr 8, 2011
6 min
Art of cart
The most important object in the play is the cart that Mother Courage has for all her merchandise, from it we can see what her financial situation is each time she appears. This film looks at the design process behind the cart in the show.
Apr 8, 2011
4 min
Deborah Warner's starting point
Warner talks about the play, her particular approach to the project and Brecht.
Apr 8, 2011
4 min
Fiona Shaw on stage
An insight into what happens before the curtain rises on a show.
Apr 8, 2011
10 min
Motherhood, Commerce and War
Courage is a business woman because she is a mother. Courage can't be a mother because she is a business woman
Apr 8, 2011
3 min
Sound and music
The director wanted music that was neither modern, nor old, and certainly not a pastiche so Deborah Warner approached Duke Special.
Apr 8, 2011
6 min
Creating the visual narrative
Using large white shutters as the set changed the approach to the piece. Light, sound and video were used in place of a big set.
Apr 8, 2011
3 min
A popular play spectacle
Making a space that is inviting and exciting for an audience. A play is not a history lesson.
Apr 8, 2011
3 min
Deborah Warner's Mother Courage and her Children (2009) - Pamphlet
A pamphlet about Deborah Warner's production of Mother Courage and her Children at the National Theatre in 2009, starring Fiona Shaw. The Pamphlet contains production images, articles, interviews, points for discussion, and suggested activities for classroom work.
Mar 31, 2011
3 sec