Feb. 23, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Josh Machamer
Cal Poly Theatre and Dance Department
(805) 756-5560; (805) 756- 7059
jmachame@calpoly.edu

Oxford University Professor, Brecht Scholar to Speak at Cal Poly March 10

SAN LUIS OBISPO -- Leading translator and scholar Tom Kuhn of Oxford University will present a free public “talkback” session on Saturday, March 10, following Cal Poly’s 2 p.m. performance of Bertolt Brecht’s politically charged play, “Round Heads and Pointed Heads.” 

In the script, in the economically challenged country of Yahoo, the bankrupt government, desperate to quell civic unrest, enlists the help of racist figurehead Iberin. “The empowered dictator institutes an agenda of fortifying the country's master race of round-heads against the inferior pointed-heads,” said Cal Poly Professor Josh Machamer, director of the play.

Brecht’s obscure political play is based on early 20th Germany and Hitler’s “master race” policy. The plot serves as a parable illustrating the battle between class distinction and racial profiling.

In his talk on Brecht, Kuhn will provide in-depth information about the German playwright’s theories and how “Round Heads” was a key foundational aspect to his theatrical practice. .

“Back when I was translating ‘Round Heads and Pointed Heads,’ the Yugoslav wars were in the news,” Kuhn said. “Before that, there were the Tutsis and Hutus; now there are the Sunnis and Shiites to worry about. It's a fable that horribly repeats itself.” 

Kuhn’s research interests are in 20th century political literature with a focus on Brecht. Kuhn is the series editor of the main English-language edition of Brecht’s works. In addition, he has written on exile and anti-fascist literature, and on more recent drama.  At Oxford, he teaches German language and literature, and 20th-century literature.

Cal Poly’s Theatre and Dance Department is staging performances of “Round Heads and Pointed Heads” Thursday through Saturday, March 1-3 and March 8-10. Curtain time is 8 p.m.  Also scheduled is the 2 p.m. matinee on March 10. All showings will be in the Spanos Theatre on campus.

Tickets are $10 to $12. For ticket information, call 756-2787. For information about the play or Cal Poly’s Theatre and Dance Department, contact Machamer at 756-5560 or jmachame@calpoly.edu or go online to http://www.cla.calpoly.edu/thtrdanc/index.html.

# # #