Theatre in the Third Reich, the Prewar Years ― Essays on Theatre in Nazi Germany

This volume considers prewar theatre in Hitler's Germany, a previously neglected subject in theatre history. An extended introduction sets the theatre scene of 1933 and charts major theatre regulations. The initial essay examines the "unified folk community" used to achieve power. Two chapters consider plays that achieved great success, and two cover specific theatres. The famous and privileged actor Werner Krauss is the subject of an essay on artistic responsibility, while a chapter on three famed directors shows how artists maneuvered for artistic freedom. The Propaganda Ministry's first national theatre festival in Dresden is covered. The two final chapters examine minority theatre--Jewish theatre in the anti-Semitic Third Reich and theatre in the concentration camps.

GLEN W. GADBERRY is Associate Professor of Theatre at the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities. His research focus is the German-language theatre of the late 19th to mid 20th century. He has written many articles on the theatre and drama of the Third Reich.