Overview

Synopsis

A trio of gods have come to Earth on a fact-finding mission to see if there are any good people left in existence, or if they will need to re-write their commandments and re-make the world. Their journey brings them to the city of Szechuan, where they meet the kind-hearted prostitute Shen Te. As a reward for her goodness, the gods gift her with money that she uses to buy a small tobacco shop, and which sends her life into a spiral of moral ambiguity. As her neighbours seek to take advantage of her generous nature and new-found fortune, Shen Te invents an alter ego: the ruthless Shui Ta. While she masquerades as Shui Ta, Shen Te can protect her life and her business, while also protecting her reputation as a good and charitable person. However, even this persona cannot protect her from her infatuation with a malcontent pilot named Yang Sun, who is determined to use her money to his advantage, even if it ruins her. In the end, it seems that only a literal Deus Ex Machina can save Shen Te from both her good and bad deeds.

One of Brecht’s most challenging “Parable Plays,” The Good Person of Szechuan is a cutting critique of Capitalism and the ways in which money and power impact a society’s morality. Shen Te’s struggle to be good in the face of economic and personal hardship is no less meaningful today than when the play was first performed in 1944.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Mature Audiences (M)
Number of Acts
1
First Produced
1943
Genres
Drama
Settings
Contemporary, Simple/No Set, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
Szechuan, China, 20th Century
Cast Size
large
Orchestra Size
None
Dancing
None
Ideal For
College/University, Diverse Cast, Large Cast, Mature Audiences, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly, Child, Early Teen, Late Teen Characters

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Shen Te/Shui Ta

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Wang

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

The Gods (3)

Supporting

Either Gender

Non-singer

Mrs Shin

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Yang Sun

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Shu Fu

Featured

Male

Non-singer

The Wife

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Lin To

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Mrs Yang

Ensemble

Female

Non-singer

Mi Tsu

Ensemble

Female

Non-singer

Policeman

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Ni Tzu

Ensemble

Either Gender

Non-singer

The Unemployed Man/Shui Ta's Agent

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

The Houseguests (7)

Ensemble

Either Gender

Non-singer

Old Prostitute, Waiter, Priest, Passers-By, Citizens of Szechuan (8)

Ensemble

Either Gender

Non-singer

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

    An alter ego is a second self or alternate personality that differs from a character’s outward persona. In drama, it can be used as a dramatic device to explore internal conflict or duality.

    Relating to the theatrical style of Bertolt Brecht, emphasizing social critique and distancing the audience from emotional immersion.

    An economic system often critiqued in epic and protest theatre, examining exploitation, class, and power structures.

    A political ideology often depicted or explored in 20th-century epic or protest theatre for social critique.

    A dramatic style associated with Bertolt Brecht that encourages critical thinking rather than emotional involvement.

    Ethical themes central to many plays, prompting characters and audiences to question right and wrong.

    Allegorical dramas from the Medieval period that taught moral lessons through personified virtues and vices.

    Brecht's alienation effect designed to prevent emotional identification and provoke critical thought.

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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