Brecht may have wished to depict the crushing nature of military discipline, the degradation of the colonial enterprise. The result may have fell short. I’m having issues being polite here as I think the world of Brecht. Using a Kipling inspired argot, an absurdist musical ensues but one without an underlying conviction.

The occupying army needs an alibi, insert a lovable Mick as fall guy. Slowly across stanzas he is recreated, formed as a brutal but loyal solider. The result as well as the entire play lacked all satisfaction. ( )