Cambridge Arts Theatre will play host to a new production of Mother Courage and Her Children next month. Written by German dramatist Bertolt Brecht in 1939, Mother Courage is widely accepted as one of the strongest anti-war plays in history. It is one o

Cambridge Arts Theatre will play host to a new production of Mother Courage and Her Children next month.

Written by German dramatist Bertolt Brecht in 1939, Mother Courage is widely accepted as one of the strongest anti-war plays in history.

It is one of nine plays Brecht wrote to counter the rise of Fascism and Nazism.

The play is set between 1624 and 1636, during the Thirty Years War, in Dalarna, Sweden. The action centres on Anna Fierling, an army canteen woman known as Mother Courage.

Fierling is torn between her reliance upon the war for her livelihood, and the effect it has on her children.

Mother Courage was an early example of Brecht's form of theatre which encouraged the audience to think about situations objectively.

The play's themes have led to a recent rise in popularity. Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline starred in a production at the Public Theatre in New York last month.

The production is being brought to Cambridge by the English Touring Theatre, and is directed by Stephen Unwin.

It stars Diana Quick, the partner of British film star Bill Nighy.

In a varied career, Quick has starred in productions on stage, television and film.

She is perhaps best known for her role in the 1981 ITV adaptation of Brideshead Revisited, alongside Jeremy Irons, Sir Laurence Olivier, and Sir John Gielgud.

Mother Courage will run from November 14-18 at 7.45pm with matinees at 2.30pm on Thursday and Saturday.

Tickets range from £10 - £27.

For bookings, contact the box office on 01223 503333.