Mother Courage and Her Children (Part 1)
An innovative new version of Brechtβs timeless 1939 anti-war play with songs. Maggie Steed plays Mother Courage, partly recorded in Kyiv, Ukraine, making it hugely relevant today.
An innovative new two-part radio production of Brechtβs timeless anti-war play with songs. A narrator observes from present day Ukraine, and unconventional techniques mirror Brechtβs βalienation effectβ.
Recorded in London and Kyiv, with a mixed cast, Mother Courage and her three adult children pull her cart through a land ravaged by the Thirty Years War (1618-48), loaded with supplies for sale to whoever will buy them. They follow armies across Germany and Sweden for over two decades, trading with soldiers, and turning a profit, selling anything armies desire or require; morals donβt enter into it. The more desperate they are, the more she charges them. Nothing comes before making a profit, not even her three children.
Many consider Mother Courage to be the greatest anti-war play ever and one of the 20th century's greatest plays. Bertolt Brecht's classic drama with songs (last produced on ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ radio in 1990), is now all the more pertinent and relevant, with war returning to Europe. A resonant new Mother Courage for Europe today.
Adapter/director Turan Ali has 3 decades of award-winning radio drama under his belt.
Musical Director Tim Sutton composed new music and adapted Brechtβs lyrics for the 7 songs.
CAST
Mother Courage - Maggie Steed
Narrator (in Kyiv) - Rob Feldman
Chaplain - Guy Henry
Cook - William Brand
Yvette - Sirine Saba
Kattrin - Fiona Skinner
Eilif - Andre Antonio
Swiss Cheese - Taheen Modak
Sergeant - Richard Glover
Rec. Officer - David Holt
Commander - Mark Straker
Musicians : Sophie Creaner, Freddie Gavita, Beth Higham-Edwards, Justin Quinn, Ian Watson.
New music and adapted lyrics by Tim Sutton
Adapted for radio and directed by Turan Ali
A Bona Broadcasting production for ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4