Explain how the work of theatre practitioners, Brecht and Boal, can help your playbuilding.
The work of Brecht and Boal can help me in playbuilding in many ways. Firstly, the development of epic theatre by Brecht was a great way of showing various socio-cultural issues which can be linked to playbuilding. Brechtean theatre is not a realistic theatre. It demonstrates realistic issues but the style of theatre is very improvised. The sound effects are made up on stage. Boal, a Brazilian practitioner and play-writer was best known for his 'theatre of the oppressed'. In this style of theatre the spectators become spect-actors, joining in with the action on stage. The work of these two practitioners provide a wide perspective for playbuilding.
What was Brecht's main aim in wring and producing plays?
Brecht's main aim in writing and producing plays was to make the audience think. He wanted to embody knowledge in a compelling manner. He created a phenomenon called 'alienation'. When an audience is alienated from the actors, they feel for the characters. He narrated parts of the play rather than acting them. Brectean theatre also often used songs to portray their action. He would have actors interfere between the action to explain to the audience what was going on. Sometimes there were people on stage with placards that showed the date and time of the event.
What is the main purpose of Boal's theatre of oppression?
Boal's main purpose for the theatre of oppression was to, like Brecht, 'change people'. In this type of theatre, the spectators become 'spect-actors', who join in, contribute ideas and take something away from that play. Boal created three types of theatre- Invisible theatre where a script is written for a targeted audience but its performed in a place that is not a theatre but a regular place like a playground. Forum theatre is where the spectators know that they are watching theatre. There will be an issue that is raised and the spectators will observe the scene and decide what is wrong with it. Lastly Image theatre is where the actors create a series of tableau that demonstrates a particular issue.
Which three of Brecht's techniques appeals most to you and why?
Three of Brecht's techniques that appeal most to me are :-
1) Using songs to depict the action- this technique appeals to me because it adds a contrasting entertainment to the serious issues of the play.
2) Having actors interrupt the play and explain or narrate what was going on- This technique appeals to me because sometimes you don't know what exactly is going on in a political theatre play because at times of action everything that happens is created on stage including the sound effects. This sometimes disrupts the audience, which is why it is good to have people pause the action in the middle and explain what was going on.
3) Retelling the story with a different ending- this technique particularly appeals to me because it gives you various different perspectives to that one story. It could be a happy or a sad ending depending on the way you change it.
Which of Boal's three types of theatre appeals to you most and why?
Out of all three, i think invisible theatre appeals to me the most because the audience is not at all aware that they are watching theatre. The actors will uncover what is going on and why it is happening and it is up to the targeted audience to uncover new perspectives the scene. Also, invisible theatre is not actually performed on a stage so it is even harder to tell that it is a play. Instead they perform it infront of a live audience. For example, if the actors are in playground and one actor starts picking on a much smaller and vulnerable looking actor, showing the issue of bullying, it is up to the bystanders to step in and speculate the scene.
What was Brecht's main aim in wring and producing plays?
Brecht's main aim in writing and producing plays was to make the audience think. He wanted to embody knowledge in a compelling manner. He created a phenomenon called 'alienation'. When an audience is alienated from the actors, they feel for the characters. He narrated parts of the play rather than acting them. Brectean theatre also often used songs to portray their action. He would have actors interfere between the action to explain to the audience what was going on. Sometimes there were people on stage with placards that showed the date and time of the event.
What is the main purpose of Boal's theatre of oppression?
Boal's main purpose for the theatre of oppression was to, like Brecht, 'change people'. In this type of theatre, the spectators become 'spect-actors', who join in, contribute ideas and take something away from that play. Boal created three types of theatre- Invisible theatre where a script is written for a targeted audience but its performed in a place that is not a theatre but a regular place like a playground. Forum theatre is where the spectators know that they are watching theatre. There will be an issue that is raised and the spectators will observe the scene and decide what is wrong with it. Lastly Image theatre is where the actors create a series of tableau that demonstrates a particular issue.
Which three of Brecht's techniques appeals most to you and why?
Three of Brecht's techniques that appeal most to me are :-
1) Using songs to depict the action- this technique appeals to me because it adds a contrasting entertainment to the serious issues of the play.
2) Having actors interrupt the play and explain or narrate what was going on- This technique appeals to me because sometimes you don't know what exactly is going on in a political theatre play because at times of action everything that happens is created on stage including the sound effects. This sometimes disrupts the audience, which is why it is good to have people pause the action in the middle and explain what was going on.
3) Retelling the story with a different ending- this technique particularly appeals to me because it gives you various different perspectives to that one story. It could be a happy or a sad ending depending on the way you change it.
Which of Boal's three types of theatre appeals to you most and why?
Out of all three, i think invisible theatre appeals to me the most because the audience is not at all aware that they are watching theatre. The actors will uncover what is going on and why it is happening and it is up to the targeted audience to uncover new perspectives the scene. Also, invisible theatre is not actually performed on a stage so it is even harder to tell that it is a play. Instead they perform it infront of a live audience. For example, if the actors are in playground and one actor starts picking on a much smaller and vulnerable looking actor, showing the issue of bullying, it is up to the bystanders to step in and speculate the scene.
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