Brecht Lesson 2 Starter

This device was used by Brecht more frequently in rehearsal than performance. It helps distance the actor from the character they’re playing.

• Narration

• Speaking the stage directions

• Using placards

• Direct address

Speaking directly to the audience breaks the fourth wall and destroys any illusion of reality. An example would be the moment where Grusha pleads to save baby Michael in The Caucasian Chalk Circle by Brecht: I brought him up, shall I also tear him to bits? I can’t."

• Coming out of role / third person narration

• Narration

• Using placards

• Direct address

A sign or additional piece of written information presented onstage. This might be as simple as holding up a card or banner. Multimedia or a PowerPoint slideshow can also be used for this effect.

• Direct address

• Using placards

• Speaking the stage directions

• Narration

This is used to remind the audience that what they’re watching is a presentation of a story. Sometimes the narrator will tell us what happens in the story before it has happened. This is a good way of making sure that we don’t become emotionally involved in the action to come as we already know the outcome.

• Speaking the stage directions

• Coming out of role / third person narration

• Narration

• Direct address

Brechtian style of theatre is called...

• Epic Theatre

• Surealsim

• Naturalism

• Contemporary

Verfremdungseffekt or the V effect seeks to

• Engage the audience emotionally through character

• Create believable and relatable performances

• Alienate the audience so that they focus on a political message

• Cheer everyone up in hard times