Mother Courage And Her Children
04 June 2026
Globe Theatre
4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Mother Courage And Her Children is currently running at the Globe Theatre until 27 June. Berthold Brecht’s anti-war masterpiece is presented in a new translation, with a few modernisations but mostly kept close to the original.
Set during the 30-year war (1618–1648), Mother Courage and her three children, Eilig, Katrin, and Swiss Cheese roam the lands with a large cart, selling whatever wares they can get their hands on, tailoring their presentation to whichever faction of the war they find themselves in. Amidst trying to profit from the horrors of war, Mother Courage loses her children one by one through the devastation the lengthy war has caused.
This production keeps its setting a little more ambiguous, both time wise as well as with the warring factions. Instead of Catholics and Protestants, the two factions are represented by green and purple, though the green shades used on stage are confusingly very blue. This removal of the religious context and time setting gives the company a bit more flexibility to play with, creating an atmosphere that feels more modern and urgent.
Utilising refreshed language and plenty of fourth wall breaks, it’s an energetic presentation infused with dizzying urgency. Gorgeously distressed costumes and rough stage dressing merge with haunting music to create an uncomfortable atmosphere within a dire war setting, painting the perfect picture for the tale of woe to come alive in.
There are no happy endings to be expected here, it is not light entertainment, but the intensity and timeliness of the production make it more than worth seeing. A tremendous revival of a haunting play.
