Brechtian Theatre

1. The world as it is becomingThe world as it is
Events jump, narrative can be randomOne event follows another
Events move in irregular curvesEvents move in a straight line
Eyes on the courseEyes on the finish
Man can change and make changesMan is unchangeable
The character is subject to investigationThe character is a known quantity
Arguments are usedSuggestion is used
The audience is
confronted with an event
The audience is
projected into an event
Communicates insightsCommunicates experiences
Compels it to make DecisionsHelps it to feel
Makes the audience an observer but arouses its capacity for actionInvolves the audience and wears down its capacity for action
Relates the eventBrings an event to life
EPIC THEATREDRAMATIC THEATRE

2. Brechtian FeaturesBrechtian Features
Strong focus on an issueStrong focus on an issue
Use of songs, placards, images to contradict or Use of songs, placards, images to contradict or
disrupt the actiondisrupt the action
Didacticism is strong in Brechtian drama.Didacticism is strong in Brechtian drama.
Use of a narrator to observe action and report Use of a narrator to observe action and report
eventsevents
Use of actors taking dual roles – narrator/police Use of actors taking dual roles – narrator/police
officerofficer
Objective characterisation – character ‘type’ eg Objective characterisation – character ‘type’ eg
GestusGestus
Emphasis on the theatricality of the event – we Emphasis on the theatricality of the event – we
can’t forget we are not watching realitycan’t forget we are not watching reality
Use of ritualised or formal setting/movement Use of ritualised or formal setting/movement

3. Realistic theatreRealistic theatre
The audience see the event as if ‘for real’ The audience see the event as if ‘for real’
The actors were engaged both emotionally The actors were engaged both emotionally
and physically in the actionand physically in the action
The audience’s emotions are engagedThe audience’s emotions are engaged
Interaction occurs between the actors’ Interaction occurs between the actors’
characterscharacters
The present tense is mostly used.The present tense is mostly used.

4. Brechtian theatreBrechtian theatre
Events are reportedEvents are reported
The past tense is often usedThe past tense is often used
Witnesses narrate incidentsWitnesses narrate incidents
The actor is sometimes uninvolved The actor is sometimes uninvolved
emotionallyemotionally
The audience does not become The audience does not become
consistently emotionally involvedconsistently emotionally involved
The victim may not be there so dramatic The victim may not be there so dramatic
impact lessenedimpact lessened
The action is demonstrated.The action is demonstrated.