BERTOLT BRECHT (1896-1956)

BERTOLT BRECHT (1896-1956)

An Introduction to Brechtian Theatre: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-828KqtTkA

·         German Playwright/Theorist/director

·         Wanted to use plays to engage the audience in political debate

·         He developed the alienation effect to remind the audience that they were watching a play.

The Alienation effect:

·         This Alienation method uses very specific devices to distance the audience so that they can debate themes within the piece/meaning of the play.
·         This follows the idea theatre can never be real.
·         Less attention paid to set and costume
·         Epic Theatre.

Political Themes:

·         BRECHT wanted his audience to be entertained, but detached/critical
·         This aim was for the audience to be rational/learn social lessons
·         He used songs to tell the audience what was gunna happen next
·         In order to disengage their emotions
·         His alienating devices: -Interruptions –No Theatrical Illusions –Not realistic scenery –props

BRECHT and Design:

·         Design is expressionistic
·         Items are ‘more than’, ‘Longer than life’, ‘Inside out’
·         Things can be used in a representative way

YouTube Links:

Memories of Bertolt Brecht: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbD_Frmga2E

Five Truths: Bertolt Brecht: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62-gYcO6jrY