This publication is the first comprehensive account in English of the history of the Freie Volksb^D"hne, founded in Berlin in 1890 through the interaction of Social Democracy and Theatrical Naturalism. Cecil Davies details the nationwide growth of the Volksb^D"hne Movement during the 1920s through the 1990s - including Germany's stormy history up to World War I, the problems associated with building the Volksbühne's own theatre, and the reunification of Germany. Weight is given to the contributions of major figures in the movement such as Bruno Wille, Siegfried Nestriepke, and Erwin Piscator.