THE PLEBEIANS REHEARSE THE UPRISING
by Günter Grass
Subtitled "A German Tragedy," Gunter Grass's first full-length play corruscates the intellectuals in the persona of Bertold Brecht for their betrayal of the workers of East Germany who rose against the Communists on June 17, 1953. "Shakespeare, Brecht, and Grass interlock in a fascinating play within a play." Commentary traces the development of the Coriolanus theme from Shakespeare via Brecht to Grass, and documents the actual uprising. The name assures attention.