EPIC THEATRE

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

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

Some of Brecht’s Plays… The Caucasian Chalk Circle

Mother Courage and Her Children

Galileo

The Threepenny Opera

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

(Act One, Scene 1, of Mother Courage and Her Children) Project or read captions summarizing the action CAPTION: DALARNA, SWEDEN. SPRING, 1624. 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)

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

“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

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

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

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.”)

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