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What term did Bertolt Brecht use for his mode of drama-writing to distinguish it from traditional theatre?
Question

What term did Bertolt Brecht use for his mode of drama-writing to distinguish it from traditional theatre?

A.

Epic theatre

B.

Musical theatre

C.

Proletariat Theatre

D.

Kitchen-sink Theatre

Correct option is A

Explanation:
Bertolt Brecht coined the term epic theatre to describe his approach to drama. This form of theatre seeks to provoke critical thinking and foster social awareness among audiences.
It stands in contrast to traditional Aristotelian theatre, which emphasizes emotional catharsis.
Brecht's epic theatre employed techniques like breaking the fourth wall, the use of placards, and direct addresses to the audience to create a sense of alienation (Verfremdungseffekt or "estrangement effect").

Information Booster:
Key Characteristics of Epic Theatre:
Alienation Effect (Verfremdungseffekt): Designed to prevent emotional identification and ensure audiences remain critically engaged.
Narrative Style: Scenes are often episodic and not driven by linear plots.
Social and Political Themes: Brecht used this theatre to critique capitalism and other socio-political issues.
Minimalistic Design: Sets and costumes are intentionally simple to keep the focus on the message rather than aesthetics.
Songs and Commentary: Music and songs are integrated to provide commentary on the action, rather than to entertain.
Notable Works by Brecht:
Mother Courage and Her Children
The Good Person of Szechwan
The Caucasian Chalk Circle
Brecht's theories reshaped modern theatre, inspiring movements like political and documentary theatre.

Additional Knowledge:
Musical theatre emphasizes song and dance to narrate a story, often for entertainment purposes. It is distinct from Brecht’s politically charged epic theatre.
Although Brecht was politically aligned with Marxism, proletarian theatre refers to worker-centric plays popular in socialist movements.
Kitchen-sink theatre refers to a 20th-century British theatre movement that focused on working-class domestic realism, unlike Brecht's abstract and didactic epic theatre.

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