Drama Brecht & epic theatre Flashcards
(24 cards)
What years did Bertolt Brecht live?
1898 – 1956
Name one of Bertolt Brecht’s plays.
Mother Courage
In which year was ‘The Threepenny Opera’ published?
1928
Where was Bertolt Brecht born?
Augsburg
What was Brecht’s educational background before he became a playwright?
Enrolled as medical student
What type of life did Brecht initially live?
Bohemian life
Who did Brecht work with in the beginnings of Epic Theatre?
Erwin Piscator
What event caused Brecht to flee Germany in 1933?
Hitler coming into power
What was the name of Brecht’s wife who was also an actress?
Helene Weigel
What was Brecht’s most important contribution to 20th Century Theatre?
Used the actor to destroy the conventional illusion
What does Brecht’s Epic Theatre require from the audience?
Social judgement
True or False: Brecht’s actor was required to give a truthful imitation.
False
What does the term ‘alienation’ refer to in Brecht’s theatre?
Distancing the audience from the action
What is Historification in Brecht’s Epic Theatre?
Drawing materials from other places & time
Fill in the blank: Epic Theatre makes the audience _______.
think
What structure does ‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle’ use?
Play within a play
What themes are portrayed in ‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle’?
Ownership and justice
What is the Verfremdungseffekt?
Alienation effect
What does Brecht emphasize in his portrayal of events?
The pastness of events
What is a key difference between 19th Century Dramatic Theatre and 20th Century Epic Theatre?
Epic Theatre is a political examination of society
Who were three individuals that influenced Brecht’s work?
- Erwin Piscator
- Max Reinhardt
- Frank Wedekind
What is a characteristic of Brecht’s actor in terms of character development?
Derives character from social attitude and behaviour
What was the impact of Brecht’s exile on his work?
Wrote many plays in exile
What is one method Brecht used to make the audience aware they were observing a piece of theatre?
Actors not required to convey emotions
