AS Unit 1, Section B Study of a Set Text, Oh What A Lovely War! With study of Bertolt Brecht

Unit 1 Section B Studying a text from a Performance perspective, Studying a text from a Performance perspective, Looking at social/historical/cultural context, Looking at social/historical/cultural context, Studying a plays Genre, Studying a plays Genre, Developing an understanding of style, form, dramatic structure, characterisation and effects on an audience. Developing an understanding of style, form, dramatic structure, characterisation and effects on an audience.

Bertolt Brecht Brecht was a German playwright, poet and director as well as theatre practitioner. Brecht was a German playwright, poet and director as well as theatre practitioner. From his late 20s Brecht remained a life- long committed Marxist. From his late 20s Brecht remained a life- long committed Marxist. Brecht is the creator of Epic Theatre. Brecht is the creator of Epic Theatre.

Epic Theatre Brecht was convinced that theatre must aim to bring about social and political change. Brecht was convinced that theatre must aim to bring about social and political change. Epic Theatre aims to force the audience to critically think and make judgements on what they are seeing. Epic Theatre aims to force the audience to critically think and make judgements on what they are seeing. It tries to show how things in society could be different if attitudes could be changed. It tries to show how things in society could be different if attitudes could be changed. Art is not a mirror held up to reality, but a Art is not a mirror held up to reality, but a hammer with which to shape it. -Brecht hammer with which to shape it. -Brecht

The Form of Epic Theatre Emphasis is placed on the importance of a social or political message before the exploration of a character. Emphasis is placed on the importance of a social or political message before the exploration of a character. A reaction again Naturalism, Epic Theatre breaks through the fourth wall of the stage. A reaction again Naturalism, Epic Theatre breaks through the fourth wall of the stage. Brecht believed Theatres greatest function was to educate. Brecht believed Theatres greatest function was to educate.

The Form of Epic Theatre Epic Theatre illuminates situations in the past to teach about the present. Epic Theatre illuminates situations in the past to teach about the present. Epic Theatre uses a variety of effects and techniques to constantly remind the audience that what they are watching is only a representation of reality, not reality itself. These techniques are called the Verfremdungseffekt (the distancing effect or making something strange). Epic Theatre uses a variety of effects and techniques to constantly remind the audience that what they are watching is only a representation of reality, not reality itself. These techniques are called the Verfremdungseffekt (the distancing effect or making something strange).

Examples of the Verfremdungseffekt Songs used as commentary on action, Songs used as commentary on action, The use of captions/placards, The use of captions/placards, Narrators, Narrators, An episodic format, An episodic format, Masks, Masks, Gestus, Gestus, Juxtapositioning, Juxtapositioning, Props/set, Props/set, Lighting Lighting

Epic Theatre – an actors perspective An actor in Epic Theatre does not aim to become the character (as they try in Naturalism) instead they try to present the character to the audience. Epic Theatre values audiences thought over emotion therefore actors must try to prevent the audience becoming too attached to the characters. Attachment detracts from the critical judgement Epic theatre seeks. An actor in Epic Theatre does not aim to become the character (as they try in Naturalism) instead they try to present the character to the audience. Epic Theatre values audiences thought over emotion therefore actors must try to prevent the audience becoming too attached to the characters. Attachment detracts from the critical judgement Epic theatre seeks.

Oh What A Lovely Way Created in 1963 by Joan Littlewood and her Theatre Workshop Oh What A Lovely War explores World War One using many of Brechts techniques and theories to great effect. Created in 1963 by Joan Littlewood and her Theatre Workshop Oh What A Lovely War explores World War One using many of Brechts techniques and theories to great effect. This will be studied in conjunction with practical exploration of Brechtian techniques in preparation for the written paper. This will be studied in conjunction with practical exploration of Brechtian techniques in preparation for the written paper.