"Fear and Misery of the Third Reich" by Bertolt Brecht (2nd June 2025)

In this week’s episode, Dr Sam and guest co-host John Summers-Campbell explore the most naturalistic of Brecht’s works: a series of 24 episodic scenes that illustrate what life was like for ordinary Germans under the Nazis in the build-up to the Second World War.

Sam and John discuss aspects such as the (under)representation of different groups; which of the scenes they think are the most powerful, and why; John’s experiences of directing the play, including a tap-dancing schoolgirl, a maid in drag and a fainting Nazi; how Fear and Misery… inspired a 1980s sci-fi series; and how the play is, once again, hauntingly timely.

Hosts: Samantha Mitschke & John Summers-Campbell

Executive Producer: Samantha Mitschke

Producer / Editor: Alexandra Gellner

Music: “