Born in Ausburg, Bavaria in 1989
Lived in a modest house in a middle-class family
Brecht worked as a medical orderly in WW1 -> horrified by the effects of war
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Brecht's beliefs
Strong Marxist and anti-fascist beliefs
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Views on Theatre
-Wanted to push against naturalistic, dramatic theatre
-wanted theatre to merely not reflect what was happening but to be a tool used to change what was happening
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Wants for Audience
Wanted audiences to participate in what they were seeing and to form opinions, not to sit back and disengage themselves from the action on stage
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Theories and Methods
Epic Theatre sought to challenge the notion of audiences as merely spectators, who feel emotion for what they see - wanted audiences to be inspired and provoke change
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Epic Theatre
Scenes episodic rather than a linear narrative
Broke the fourth Wall ( reminding the audience of their role as active rather than passive observers)
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V Effect
Keeping the audience emotionally detached / alienated
Making the familiar unfamiliar
-> by remaining emotionally distant the message wouldn't be lost
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Inspiration from Chinese Theatre
Referred to performers being able to portray passionate events without delivery becoming heated -> style suited Brecht's political messages considering arguments objectively
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Multi-rolling
When performers play more than one character
-> characters can be differentiated by changes in movement, posture, gesture, body language, facial expressions, and vocal skills
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Split roles
More than one performer plays the same character - split roles allow the audience to see a character represented in different ways and making them unable to attach themselves emotionally to the character
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Brechtian Set
Set should be functional and serve its purpose without creating the illusion of real life
Should show relevant issues of the play, is made up of only representational items
Any changes in full view of audience
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Brechtian Props
Real and used - if they are authentic then the audience will not spend time focusing on them
Might be symbolic and used to portray other things
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Brechtian Lighting
Kept simple and obvious - sources seen by the audience
Harsh white lighting symbolized the truth
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Brechtian Costumes
Not elaborate and distracting but functional
Actors should change costumes on stage in view of the audience
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Speaking the stage direction
In order to detach the actors from the characters so they wouldn't connect too closely to their role
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Placards
Information given to the audience can be used to deepen their understanding or to offer them the information they don't know about the characters
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Singing and dancing
Used contrast of sings with cheerful music but dark lyrics -> stressed the use of songs clearly marked from the rest of the transitions, unpolished
Avoid heightening the audiences emotions
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Spass
Brecht wanted audiences to think about what they were watching or be engaged -> comedy and satire was an effective way to do this
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Satire
Uses humor, sarcasm, or irony to mock someone's failings. Brecht used political satire to highlight social issues
Invited audiences to laugh at these characters but ultimately condemn them for what they stood for.
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Gestus
Clearly defined gesture or movement to demonstrate the essence of a character
Wanted actors to connect with the audience not just verbally but through body language
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
Strong Marxist and anti-fascist beliefs
Back
Brecht's beliefs
Card 3
Front
-Wanted to push against naturalistic, dramatic theatre
-wanted theatre to merely not reflect what was happening but to be a tool used to change what was happening
Back
Card 4
Front
Wanted audiences to participate in what they were seeing and to form opinions, not to sit back and disengage themselves from the action on stage
Back
Card 5
Front
Epic Theatre sought to challenge the notion of audiences as merely spectators, who feel emotion for what they see - wanted audiences to be inspired and provoke change
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