What does 'verfremdungseffekt' mean?
Verfremdungseffekt is the German word for 'alienating the audience'. Bertolt Brecht used the technique of verfremdungseffekt in all of his plays since he believed that the audience would better understand the message or moral of the play if they were conscious critical observers and therefore aware they are watching a play. This is also known as 'breaking the fourth wall'. Examples of Verfremdungseffekt include (but are not limited to): narration; multi-rolling; the use of masks; minimal set and costumes; placards and signs; actors stepping out of their roles and presenting themselves; fractured scenes (as opposed to linear) and stereotypical characters.
CI
Related Drama GCSE answers
All answers ▸A character is standing alone at a bus stop on a dark road in a dangerous neighbourhood, how might you convey their fear and tension the character experiences through your physicality?
How should I structure an essay that is focused on analysing the use of the different mediums of drama within a live theatre production that I recently watched?
What are some conventions of the Comedy of Manners genre and what is their effect?
Describe how you would use your vocal and physical skills to perform a line from the text you are studying and explain the effects you want to create.