Brecht in Shaffer: a Revision

Abstract

In this article we study te presence of Brecht’s poetics in Peter Shaffer’s work. Some critics have stated that this British author is deeply influenced by Brechtian theatrical poetics, given his use of a repertory of the German playwright’s techniques. A few other critics argue instead that Shaffer’s production is better understood in the light of some other traditions, such as poetic drama, theatre of cruelty and existencialism. The aim of this study is to revise the contact between Brecht and Shaffer. This implies questioning the way in which influences are usually thought of and the way in which Brecht’s theory has been attributed to several dramatists.