Epic Designer

In my explanation of the Epic Playwright and composer I will be revering to a case study, I think it will make it easier to explain and understand. The play I am using is 'Mother Courage and her Children'. Follow this link for a synopsis of the play

To remind the spectators that they are watching an 'enactment of reality, instead of reality itself' Brecht developed the 'alienation effect'. Techniques such as making use of minimal props and scenery allows the audience to distance themselves from the actors on stage. The Brechtian designer dispenses with illusions and symbolism, this allows the audience to interperate the relationship and message easier. The audience are not seperated from the action on the stage at any time, changing sets in view of the audience helps distance the audience. Props should be taken on and off by the characters in role and curtains should not be used.

Epic Playwright

The Playwright in Epic theatre should structure the plays episodically. The playwright can use flashbacks and missing time, these 'anti-illusive' techniques distance the audience and actors. Plays using chronological order allow the audience to see part of the characters life and are able to indentify and become emotionally involved with the character. To encourage the audience to adopt a more 'critical attitude' Brecht used episodic structures to rebell against the 'realistic theatre of illusion'. In 'Mother Courage' act 3 is set three years after act 2. This use of time allows Brecht to tell a story or parable in a play. Brecht playwrights also project explanatory captions onto a screen or placard in order to drive home an important message. Screens and narrators are important as they fill in the missing action. Playwrights can also use screens or narration to inform the audience what is going to happen, this technique of historicization encorages an awareness that an event has happened as if in the past, this allows the audience to think

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Summary of Designer

dispense with illusion and symbolism no 'fourth wall' minimal props set change in view of audience one prop per person- representative

Summary of playwright

structured episodically histricization- awareness of events in the past tell audience through labels use of cue cads to reinforce- fill in missing link socialist message prevailed use of parable clear one sided message 'anti illusive techniques- flash back, missing time

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