Schweyk in the Second World War (German:Schweyk im Zweiten Weltkrieg) is aplay byGermandramatist and poetBertolt Brecht. It was written by Brecht in 1943[1] while in exile inCalifornia, and is a sequel to the 1923 novelThe Good Soldier Švejk byJaroslav Hašek.
Schweyk in the Second World War is set inNazi-occupied Prague and on theRussian Front during World War II. In a summary written for potential composerKurt Weill, it was written: "The Good Soldier Schweyk, after surviving the First World War, is still alive. Our story shows his successful efforts to survive the Second as well. The new rulers have even more grandiose and all-embracing plans than the old, which makes it even harder for today's Little Man to remain more or less alive."[2]Hanns Eisler, ultimately, became Brecht's chief musical collaborator for the work.[3]
As Schweyk is forced into war, he manages to survive while overcoming dangerous situations inGestapo Headquarters, a military prison, and a Voluntary Labor Service. The ending finds Schweyk lost in a snowstorm nearStalingrad. He meets an equally lost and bewilderedHitler, whose path is blocked by snow, frozen corpses, the Soviet Army, and theGerman people. Finally, Hitler does a grotesque dance and disappears into the snow.
Portuguese TV made an adaptation in 1975IMDB link'
Schweyk in the Second World War was not staged during the lifetime of its writer Brecht, though it has been staged many times across the world in various languages, including Bengali,[4] since its 1957 premiere in Warsaw.[5]
The National Theatre in London staged a major revival directed byRichard Eyre with the same company of actors he had directed in his famous 1982 production ofGuys and Dolls.[6][7]
Red Theater Chicago staged it in October 2012 starring Kevin Cox. It was directed by Aaron Sawyer with original music composed by Michael Evans.[8]
Forum Three Bangalore staged it for the first time in September 2014[9] in Bangalore and later atAuroville[10] for an international audience. Directed byRanjon Ghoshal, the original music recreating the Eastern European melodies of the 1940s was composed bySudipto Das, withSihi Kahi Chandru playing Schweyk.[11][12]
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