VIDEO OVERVIEW
The idea of objectivity and the absence of empathy developed into a concept of theatre that’s called Epic theatre, as opposed to what Brecht referred to as Dramatic theatre.
Dramatic theatre has a plot or story. We go to the theatre expecting the plot to be laid out before us and all issues to be resolved at the end. Epic theatre doesn’t attempt this neatness. The narrative starts and ends, leaving issues unresolved, confronting the audience with questions about what they’ll do. Ideally Epic theatre will be an inspiration to action whereas Brecht thought Dramatic theatre was entertainment. Dramatic theatre in his view should engage the audience in an emotional experience only for their time in the theatre. |
BrechtBertolt Brecht was a German poet, playwright, and theatrical reformer whose epic theatre departed from the conventions of theatrical illusion and developed the drama as a social and ideological forum for leftist causes.
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PicastorErwin Picastor (17 December 1893 – 30 March 1966) was a German theatre director and producer and, along with Bertolt Brecht, the foremost exponent of epic theatre,
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ClaudelPaul Claudel was a French poet, dramatist and diplomat who lived through both world wars and died 1955. He was influenced heavily by poetry and symbolism and like many influential people in epic theatre;
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