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 ▸When performing in the round, what do you have to consider?
Describe how one or more actors in a particular scene or section used their vocal and physical acting skills to create convincing characters.
Using a production you have seen in the last 12 months, describe and explain the lighting of the production, and how this reflected, if at all, any of the themes of the production itself.
Choose one scene from the live theatrical performance you saw. With reference to 3 specific moments in the performance of this scene, analyse how effective the acting in this scene was in creating mood and/or tension.