‘As a Director how would direct Act 1, Scene 1 in Bertolt Brecht's 'The Good Person Of Szechwan'

'The Good Person of Szechwan’ is a didactic play written by Bertolt Brecht produced in 1943 and published in 1953. The play explores the impossibility of being morally good in a capitalist society, following the life of Shen Teh who must adopt a male persona in order to survive. As director I will adhere to Brecht's theatrical style of Epic Theatre to distance audiences and encourage them to think critically on the events happening before them. Scene 1 is significant because it conveys the moral dilemma of the play as Shen Teh struggles to be both a good person and remain financially stable. I wish to convey Shen Teh as optimistic and joyous which will contrast the cynical neighbour Mrs Shin. I wish to also convey Shen Teh slowly succumbing to the pressure of the exploitative family of beggars. Finally I would like to highlight to audiences how Brecht avoids a sentimental presentation of the poor. In the opening scene, Mrs Shin enters from the shop door DSR and Shen Teh meets her at the door with a bound conveying her optimistic nature. Shen Teh then bows, exclaiming gregariously "Good evening Mrs Shin” conveying to audiences her politeness and eagerness. Mrs Shin is slightly taken aback by the action, conveyed through her sudden tense posture and narrow eyes. This presents to the audience the distrust of goodness within the play. Shen Teh then begins conversation by asking politely “How did the children spend the night?”, to which Mrs Shin retorts, indignantly “The baby’s started coughing”. Shen Teh’s face will fall as she looks sadly to Mrs Shin, uttering awkwardly “That’s bad”. The hostile tone and tense posture of Mrs Shin and the lively persona of Shen Teh will convey a contrast in personalities. Shen Teh's joyous nature, punctuated by Mrs Shin cutting remark, may evoke laughter from the audience. This would be an example of Brecht's Gestus, an action given by a character that conveys an attitude. In this case, Mrs Shin's body language conveys her as uncaring and disinterested.