1. EPIC THEATRE

2. Epic Theatre a style of avant-garde theatre
early to mid-1900s; began in Germany
developed and popularized by
Bertolt Brecht

3. Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956) German poet, playwright, and director
left Germany when Hitler came to power
blacklisted for being a Communist in the U.S.; eventually testified before HUAC
began the Berliner Ensemble with his actress wife Helene Weigel

4. Some of Brecht’s Plays…
The Caucasian Chalk Circle

5. Mother Courage and Her Children

6. Galileo

7. The Threepenny Opera

8. Brecht’s Philosophy of Theatre
Theatre should provoke social change.

9. Brecht’s Philosophy of Theatre
Theatre should teach or convey information.

10. Brecht’s Philosophy of Theatre
Theatre should make moral observations.

11. Brecht’s Philosophy of Theatre
Theatre should NOT be a brain-dead escape!!!

12. In other words, you have to make society THINK so society can CHANGE!!!
They cannot become too involved with the story or identify with the characters.

13. 1. Always remind the audience that they are watching a play.
2. Actor and audience both must be emotionally distanced from the characters.

14. (Distancing/Alienation/
#1 + #2 = Brecht’s
Verfremdungseffekt
(Distancing/Alienation/
Estrangement Effect)

15. How did Brecht achieve Verfremdungseffekt?
Use simple, non-realistic scenery and props
Insert comedy in emotional/serious events

16. Allow the audience to see behind the scenes (lighting equipment, set changes)
Have actors change costumes or character onstage

17. (Act One, Scene 1, of Mother Courage and Her Children)
Project or read captions summarizing the action
CAPTION: DALARNA, SWEDEN. SPRING, GUSTAVIUS ADOLPHUS, KING OF SWEDEN, IS RECRUITING MEN FOR HIS WAR AGAINST POLAND. THE CANTEEN WOMAN, ANNA FIERLING, BETTER KNOWN AS MOTHER COURAGE, LOSES A SON.
(Act One, Scene 1, of Mother Courage and Her Children)

18. Intentionally interrupt action for music and songs in order to make a point or give a message

19. “The Army Song” from The Threepenny Opera
Johnny joined up and Jimmy was there and George got a Seargant's rating Don't give your right name the Army don't care And the life is so fascinating Let's all go barmy, live off the Army See the world we never saw If we get feeling down we wander into town And if the population should greet us with indignation We chop off your bits because we like our hamburgers raw
Johnny drank up till his gut caved in and Jimmy did not drink tea and George replied with a right to the chin For the army is just a pink tea Let's all go barmy, live off the Army See the world we never saw If we get feeling down we wander into town And if the population should greet us with indignation We chop off your bits because we like our hamburgers raw Johnny is missing Jimmy is dead and George went crazy shooting But blood is blood and red is red And the army is still recruiting. Let's all go barmy, live off the Army See the world we never saw If we get feeling down we wander into town And if the population should greet us with indignation We chop off your bits because we like our hamburgers raw

20. The Brechtian Actor…
must always be in control of his emotions (detached like an observer describing an accident he saw)

21. The Brechtian Actor…
must always be aware of the audience (break the fourth wall)

22. The Brechtian Actor…
in rehearsal, must speak his stage directions and refer to himself in third person
(“He sat on the sofa.” “She asked him how he was feeling.”)

23. “Do not fear death so much but rather the inadequate life
“Do not fear death so much but rather the inadequate life.” --Bertolt Brecht