Interruptions (epic theatre)

Interruptions, in the context of epic theatre, refer to techniques used to break the dramatic illusion and remind the audience that they are watching a staged performance, not experiencing reality. These interruptions are a core element of Bertolt Brecht's concept of Verfremdungseffekt (alienation effect or distancing effect).

Rather than fostering emotional identification with the characters, interruptions aim to create a critical and analytical distance. This distance allows the audience to rationally assess the social, political, and economic issues presented in the play.

Common forms of interruption include:

• Direct Address to the Audience: Characters may step out of their roles to directly address the audience, offering commentary or posing questions related to the play's themes.
• Narration: A narrator might summarize events, provide context, or offer moral guidance, disrupting the flow of the dramatic action.
• Songs: Songs are often used not to further the plot or express character emotions in a conventional way, but to comment on the action, present alternative viewpoints, or encourage critical reflection.
• Signs and Placards: Visual aids, such as projected titles, captions, or statistical data, can be used to provide information or draw attention to specific aspects of the play's social context.
• Stage Devices: Obvious stagecraft, such as visible lighting equipment, exposed set changes, or actors changing costumes onstage, can disrupt the illusion of realism.
• Unnaturalistic Acting: Actors may deliberately avoid creating a realistic portrayal of their characters, instead emphasizing the character's social function or representing them as types rather than individuals.
• Historification: Setting the play in a historical or unfamiliar context can serve to alienate the audience and encourage them to view contemporary issues with a fresh perspective. The historical setting becomes a metaphor for current problems.

The purpose of these interruptions is not simply to be disruptive, but to actively engage the audience's intellect and inspire them to critically examine the world around them. By preventing emotional immersion, Brecht hoped to empower audiences to think for themselves and take action to change society.