Explain Bertolt Brecht's Aliegnation Theory

Bertolt Brecht gave a concept of “Aliegnation theory” and “epic theatre”. His idea of the actor’s role is very different from Stanislavski’s. By showing theatre, he wants to educate his audience in an entertaining manner. He thought that audience were manipulated by beautiful sets and theatre technology, lighting, makeup, imaginary fourth wall and also by emotionally effusive acting techniques. He was always against the illusion created by traditional theatre in which the audience observes a slice of life. The Aliegnation effect attempts to resist emotional manipulation and replacing it with entertaining jolt. He did not want that the audience feels empathic towards characters. He says rather than becoming their characters, critically present it. The director could break the fourth wall and expose the

Sometimes he even masked actors face to draw the attention away from the actor’s faces, in comparison Stanislavski says that audience must involve in the performance and audience can’t enter between the play. Stanislavski believed that actor must portray reality and truth whereas Brecht believed the actor should simply represent a social archetype. Stanislavski thought that there are very less use of props or no use or no other means of presenting information. An actor only needs his body to express things. Brecht whereas thought that the actor must use props and lighting for presenting issues. Audience must detached themselves from actor’s expression. Stanislavski allowed the audience to use their imagination whereas Brecht didn’t want audience to imagine. He simply wants that audience gets connected to actors through thoughtfulness by making them participating in the play. His most commendable work is MOTHER COURAGE AND HER CHILDREN. It is set in 1600s, the play is one of the anti-war plays and is related to contemporary