bertolt brecht epic theatre

Bertolt Brecht Key Elements of his WorkSalvatore Sorce

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Agenda

• Ground Rules

• Aims of the session

• Learning outcomes

• What do you know

• Key elements of Brechtian theatre

• An example in film today

• Summary

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Aims

• To develop understanding of Brecht and the key elements of Brechtian theatre.

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Learning outcomes

• Compare differences with Brechtian Epic and StanislaskiNaturalism theatre styles

• Identify key elements of Brechtian theatre

• Explore the importance/relevance to theatre today

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What do you know?

Question:

What are the main differences between Stanislavski and Brecht theatre practices?

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Dramatic vs Epic Theatre

Dramatic Theatre

• Plot

• One scene after another

• Involve the spectator in a stage situation

Epic Theatre

• Narrative

• Each scene for itself

• Turn the spectator into an observer

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Key Elements

Activity:

Flipchart and present to the class your thoughts on the following words:

Breaking the fourth wall

Gesture

Morality

Narration and song1 min for writing – 1 min for presenting

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Key elements

Breaking the fourth wall

Actors directly address the audience

Gestus

Presentation of an emotion though gesture

Didacticism

Teaching of a moral lesson

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Key elements

Narration and song

Adds commentary on/or narrates the story

Acting techniques

Multi–roling characters, Exaggerated/repetitive actions

Alienation Technique (Verfrumdungesffekt)

Audience questions character Use of lighting and sound

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Example in film today

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Play ‘Rabbit Hole’ DVD

Relevance in today’s theatre

Question:

• What effect do you think this provokes with a modern audience?

• Why would you stage a play in this style?

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Summary

• Epic vs Naturalism – give examples

• Name key elements of Brechtian theatre

• Why do you think it is important today?

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Further reading

Plays

• Mother Courage and Her Children

• The Good Person of Szechwan

• The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui

• The Caucasian Chalk Circle

Online

• http://www.usq.edu.au/artsworx/schoolresources/mothercourage/Brechtian%20Techniques

• http://www.usq.edu.au/artsworx/schoolresources/goodwomanofszechwan/epictheatre

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Learning outcomes

• Compare differences with Brechtian Epic and StanislaskiNaturalism theatre styles

• Identify key elements of Brechtian theatre

• Explore the importance/relevance to theatre today.

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Bertolt Brecht Epic Theatre

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