ERIC BENTLEY
Biography
"Eric Bentley was an influential theater critic who died at 103. He was also a member of the New York Theater Hall of Fame, recognizing his many years of cabaret performances.
Beginning in 1953, he taught at Columbia University and was a theatre critic for The New Republic. He became known for his blunt style of theatre criticism, and was threatened with lawsuits from both Tennessee Williams and Arthur Miller for his unfavorable reviews of their work. From 1960–1961, Bentley was the Charles Eliot Norton Professor at Harvard University.
Bentley was one of the preeminent experts on Bertolt Brecht, whom he met at the University of California, Los Angeles as a young man and whose work he translated extensively. He edited the Grove Press issue of Brecht's work, and recorded two albums of Brecht's songs for Folkways Records, most of which had never before been recorded in English.
He won an Obie Award for Lifetime Achievement in Theatre from the American Theatre Wing in 2006 and a Robert Chesley Award in 2007."
Source: BroadwayWorld
Source: Tyrone Dukes (NYT)
Translation Versions
Grove Press (1961)
The original version of Bentley's English translation, which he produced while working closely with and spectating rehearsals of Brecht's German productions. Specifically, Bentley is noted to have collaborated with Brecht on a 1950 Munch production of Mother Courage, becoming well-acquainted with the source material.
"A rather close translation of the complete German text, with lyrics that fit the Dessau score."
Samuel French (1963)
"Published herewith by Samuel French by arrangement with the Grove Press, is a stage version and indeed an adaptation made by me and the composer Darius Milhaud... An adaptation is a new work, after all, and this adaptation, with its additional songs and abundant incidental music, moves the play in the direction of opera. It is hardly an American Musical. It is (German-French-English) musical theater."
Eric Bentley, Author's Notes, 2009.
Other Translations of Brecht's Works
The Caucasian Chalk Circle
The Good Woman of Setzuan
The Threepenny Opera
Bael
A Man's a Man
The Elephant Calf
Edward II
Manual of Piety
PARATEXTS
MUSIC
Bentley worked with Darius Milhaud in 1959-1960 to write music accompanying Bentley's English lyrics, transforming the score originally created by Paul Dessau that was used in the Grove Press (1961) edition. To work with Dessau's score, Bentley would have had to "fit the notes of a score that was tailored to fit the German language only," which resulted in significant incompatibility. Together, Bentley and Milhaud adapted new music while still consulting the source, and it remained unplayed for more than 35 years until it was finally used in a 1997 production.
Eric Bentley, "The Song of Mother Courage"
TEXT/PRODUCTION
IN THE GROVE PRESS EDITION
- Who is Mother Courage?
- Editorial Notes
- Author's Notes
IN THE SAMUEL FRENCH EDITION
- Author's Note
CRITICISM & REVIEWS
A look into the staged music of Milhaud & Bentley.
Dr. Nathaniel Nesmith shares personal insight on his profound professional relationship with Bentley.
A review of the 1997 production of Bentley's Mother Courage at Jean Cocteau Repertory.
A reference to the 1963 production of Bentley's Mother Courage, under direction of Jerome Robbins, as "Not To Be Missed"
A review from the McCarter Theater's 1975 production of Bentley's Mother Courage.
MEDIA & PRODUCTIONS
1963 Original Broadway Production Playbill
The Grove Press version, translated by Bentley with music by Dessau. Directed by Jerome Robbins. Starred Anne Bancroft as Mother Courage. Played 52 performances and was nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Play.
Trap Door Theatre Production Trailer
2024 production of Bentley's text in Chicago, Illinois with new music composed by Jonathan Guillen.