WJEC/Eduqas GCSE Drama: Revision Guide

Brecht’s techniques DIRECT ADDRESS An actor speaks directly to the audience, giving information about their character and situation (see page 52). NARRATOR The storyteller of the play, who speaks directly to the audience (see pages 52–54). MULTI-ROLING Actors play a number of roles within the same story. GESTUS Combining gesture with facial expression, body language and stance to summarise not only the character’s situation but the wider social situation it relates to (see page 54). MUSIC AND SONGS Characters break into song, often directly addressing the audience (see page 55). NO FOURTH WALL Brechtian theatre tries to keep the audience aware that it is theatre and that they should be considering more important issues (see page 55). EPISODIC STRUCTURE Brechtian plays are written as a series of individual episodes, rather than a continuous act. Brechtian plays are in the form of a series of individual episodes, each with its own lesson or point. POLITICAL MESSAGE OR DIDACTICISM Educate and inform the audience through the story (see page 55). TICKLE AND SLAP Lulling the audience into a false sense of security, then hitting them with a shocking event. PLACARDS Signs or projections that indicate where the scene takes place or other information (see page 55). ALIENATION Making the familiar strange, as if freshly seen. It involves making the audience respond to the issues rather than immersing themselves emotionally with the characters. 51 chapter 3 chapter 3  THEATRE PRACTITIONERS