A tricultural theatrical tradition: The history of the German theater in Prague, 1883-1938

Abstract

As a German language "island," Prague occupied an unusual place in the history of German culture. Three cultures (Czech, German, Jewish) were living side by side in a confined area, and each had a profound effect on the development of German theater. The Jews were especially active in promoting German culture. Chapter One discusses the effects of the emancipation of the Jews on German culture in Prague. The Czech National Revival, the construction of the Czech National Theater, and the simultaneous establishment of the New German Theater all led to the decline of German culture there.Chapter Two covers the period from WW I, when German Theater was enjoying a rebirth of popularity, to 1922. During this time the Czechs annexed the German Landestheater to the Czech National Theater. Theater censorship is discussed to illustrate the criteria used by censors to judge plays for the Prague German stage. Three plays with Jewish themes are used as examples: Theodor Herzl's Das neue Ghetto, Arthuy Schnitzler's Professor Bernhardi, and Eugen Tschirikow's Die Juden.The Prague Circle's intense work to promote Prague's German Theater began in 1918. Its three main members, Max Brod, Oskar Baum, and Ludwig Winder, promoted plays through the Prague German newspapers, primarily Prager Tagblatt and Bohemia. They further wrote numerous plays specifically for the Prague German stage. One play by each author is discussed in Chapter Three to illustrate their work: Max Brod's Prozess Bunterbart, Oskar Baum's Das Wunder, and Ludwig Winder's Dr. Guillotin.The work of the Prague circle during 1933-1938 is described in detail in Chapter Four. The play The Czech and the German by J.N. Stepanek, is the most significant feature of this chapter, as it discusses the theme of reconciliation between Germans and Czechs. Prague German culture comes to an end with the closing of the German theater and the emigration or death of members of the Prague Circle.Thesis (Ph.D.)--The University of Wisconsin - Madison, 1995.School code: 0262