Brecht theatre festival deemed wildly successful

Cold weather didn't keep Winnipeg theatre lovers away from this year's Brechtfest.

The 17-day festival, which showcased more than 150 performances of works by German playwright Bertolt Brecht, wound up on Saturday.

More than 11,500 people attended the performances – a 47 per cent increase over The Beckett Festival in January 2001.

"We know Winnipeggers love theatre and love the arts," says Bertram Schneider, executive producer for the Manitoba Theatre Centre Warehouse. "That they come out in the bitter cold of January as well … it speaks all the more highly of their enthusiasm."

Schneider says the free lecture series and the radio broadcasts of plays were also a great success.

He says the winter theatre festival is an important source of revenue for many of the smaller theatre companies who take part.

The 2003 winter theatre festival will feature the works of British playwright, Harold Pinter and will be called "Pinterfest."

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