Shea McDonough

Theatre History
Theatre of War Reaction
John Walters documentary, Theatre of War, follows the rehearsal process of a New York
production of Mother Courage and Her Children. The production occurs in 2006 and stars
renowned actors Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline, directed by George C. Wolfe. The production,
itself, was meant as a political statement against the Iraq War and war in general. The film also
delves into the history of the play, as it related to World War II, and also the life and ideologies of
Bertolt Brecht.
When the play was first produced, critics objected to the characters decisions. They felt
as though the characters, namely Mother Courage, should have realized the errors of their ways.
Mother Courage is described as a parasite of the war, her war being the Thirty Years War.
Mother Courage follows the armies and provides for her family by managing a canteen wagon.
She is rather opportunistic and is willing to haggle and make shady deals in order to make ends
meet. Mother Courage rejoices in war and sees it as her moneymaker. She ultimately, however,
loses her children to the war she celebrated. Brecht refuted critics dismay by stating the
audience must realize the fatal virtue of it all. Brecht stressed not to blame the characters. The
point is for the audience to realize the blunders. Society must realize the need for change.
I did not particularly care for all the Marxist overtones of the film. At the time this
documentary was put together, it was easy for the director and the Marxist professor to blame the
Iraq War and general warfare on conservatism and republicanism. Marxist and Socialist
supporters wished to blame ongoing war for profit on capitalism, but capitalism is not inherently
bad. It is the abuses of capitalism by corrupt elements of government that cause turmoil in the

United States and around the world. Regardless, it seems as though everyone in government is in
favor of war at this time. President Barack Obama is very open about his socialistic ideology, yet
he has been a proponent of war during his entire presidency, i.e. the Syria Conflict. I believe the
true problem in America is the false dichotomy created politically. Republicans and Democrats
are promoting horrible policies that leave citizens with having to choose between the lesser of
two evils. We should have more options and realize the potential in growing ideologies, such as
libertarianism. I believe limited government is best. The encroaching police state Americans are
faced with, the failure of ObamaCare, and the invasion of our privacy by the N.S.A. through our
private data is unacceptable. In the film, Brecht protests one does not give up their freedom to
save their freedom. Government should not impose war and spy on citizens in the name of
keeping citizens safe.
In the final sequence of Theatre of War, Meryl Streep reflects that the image of Mother
Courage holding her dead child in her arms is very familiar in art and literature. Mothers will
lose their children to war and cry, Why? Streep retorts by asking why do so many of us
continue condoning acts of war at any capacity. War is lucrative, but whats the end result?
Bones in the landscape. Mother Courage and Her Children is set in a time of injustice only, no
outcry. People overlook the atrocities of war because they are afraid of going against the status
quo and causing trouble. U.S. citizens want to live comfortably, so they allow themselves to be
lied to and taken advantage of. We continue letting history repeat itself and we are the one who
suffer for it. Actors must remind everyone that war is almost never beneficial or necessary. War
benefits the very rich who do not care about the general population. Most actors/artists know
that. Actors are the interpreters of lost songs.