Lecture
Professor David Peimer
Saturday 7.03.2026
Professor David Peimer
Satire vs. Evil: The Brilliant Wit of Brecht and Weill
Saturday 7.03.2026
How to watch
This lecture starts on 7 March at 5:00pm (UK).
Summary
Join us as we explore the remarkable theatrical collaboration of Bertolt Brecht (1898–1956) and the Jewish composer Kurt Weill (1900–50), two giants who dared to satirize a world descending into darkness. Their sharp-edged songs, cabaret, and musicals put them high up on the Nazi list of “undesirables.” But they managed to flee to the US just in time. We also look at how their work resonates today as satire is again threatened by a world on fire.
Professor David Peimer
David Peimer is a Professor of Literature, Film and Theatre in the UK. He has worked for the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, New York University (Global Division) and was a Fulbright Scholar at Columbia University. Born in South Africa, David has won numerous awards for playwriting and directing. He has most recently directed Dame Janet Suzman in his own play, Joanna’s Story, at London Jewish Book Week. He has published numerous books, including Armed Response: Plays from South Africa and the digital book Theatre in the Camps. He is on the board of the Pinter Centre (London), and has been involved with the Mandela Foundation, Vaclav Havel Foundation and directed a range of plays at Mr Havel’s Prague theatre.