Brecht and his associates (Max Reinhardt, Helen Weigel, Kurt
Weill, etc.) set out to reform German theatre and to adapt
it to their political needs and beliefs.
In Brecht's eyes theatre ought to confront social problems
rather than escape them. In his literary and theoretical work
Brecht defined the outlines of Epic theatre which suited
his political ideas.
Important examples are 'Mother Courage and her Children',
'The Good Woman of Setzuan' and 'The Three Penny Opera'. His
poetry, too, promotes communist ideals.
During WW II he wandered through Europe and finally settled
in the United States. As a result of his communist ideas as
reflected in 'Galileo' he decided to return to Europe
and moved to the German Democratic Republic to finally live
according to his political principles.
