Aims
(two essentials)...
The message must be clear
The audience must remain critically aware
Brecht and Artaud
Brecht and Artaud basic facts and differences
BRECHT
Brecht started influencing theatre after World War II. Emphasis on theatricality.
Spectator participates productively. Ask questions.
The social problem addressed should not be resolved in the
theatre, but people should be inspired to go out and solve it.
From The Modern Theatre is the Epic Theatre -
Aristotelian theatre has reduced the spectator to passivity.
A feeling that nothing can be changed.
(Yesterday is presented in terms of today.)
Therefore, things have always been the same and are
unchangeable. Brecht wanted to show the possibilities
for change.
Verfremdungseffekt
- has been translated as “alienation effect.”
Marx said alienation is necessary before the desire for change
can arise.
Brecht believed capitalism was the source of selfishness.
If he could 'alienate' the audience then they would approach the
play intellectually, and be inspired to leave the theatre
and change society.
Techniques of the alienation effect - to alienate the audience,
keep them from becoming emotionally involved in the performance:
Very presentational, and therefore, actually very Greek.
Presentation is like using a chorus.
Signs explain each scene before it happens.
Characters presented in terms of social attributes, not basic
psychology. Their psychology is determined by social attitudes.
If you remove the social system, the influence toward selfishness is removed.
Actors - present a character, don't become it.
Fragmentary scenery. Give them the minimum of what they
need to see; (archetypical characters as stereotypes, but exaggerated
and thus making it clear to the audience that the character
is a representation).
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