Two One-act Plays: Bertolt Brecht

We’re presenting two once-act plays by Bertolt Brecht (1898–1956), one of the 20th century’s fiercest satirists. These rarely seen short plays, both involving trials, are sharp with skewering wit.

In THE ELEPHANT CALF (circa 1925), a wacky troupe of actors tries to stage a play about a Baby Elephant accused of killing his Mother. An officious Banana Tree is the judge, arguing for a guilty verdict with aid of the Moon as prosecutor. A rowdy gang of soldiers heckles from the bleachers. Ultimately the play shows that “Anything and everything can be proved!”

In THE TRIAL OF LUCULLUS (1940), first produced as a radio play, then as an opera in 1964, and here partially performed as a shadow play, a noble Roman general appears after death in a court of the underworld. The jury are the shades of ordinary people who were among the victims of war, and who must decide if General Lucullus will be condemned to damnation or welcomed to everlasting glory.

As enactments of absurd tribunals these make a lively and timely pair of provocations for right now.

“The Elephant Calf” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. (www.concordtheatricals.com)

The Parish Players

Eclipse Grange, 193 Academy Road

Thetford, Vermont 05074