Brecht (Epic Theatre)

Question 1

Define Epic Thearte

Answer 1

Employed a large narrative that spanned many locations and time frames. The focus on the play was always on the society being present in the play and not on individual characters.

He would have actors play more than one character on stage which are marked by changing voice, movement, gesture and body language. He also believed in keeping lighting simple as he didn’t want the production values to overshadow the message of the work.

Question 2

Movement

Answer 2

Included mixes of realistic and non realistic movement however the movement was of times gracefully but forceful

Question 3

Narration

Answer 3

Used narration to remind the audience that what they’re watching is a presentation of a story. The narrator will sometimes will tell us what happens in the story before it happened

Question 4

Songs

Answer 4

Used to ensure that audiences sees the theatre and are reminded of the fact they are watching a play. Music and lyrics dont fit together in style to further distance audiences

Question 5

Acting

Answer 5

Actor was never to fully become the character and they were often playing an oversimplified stereotype however other characters were sometimes complex