I was recently going back over some texts on Brecht’s model of Epic theatre and was also reading Howard Barker’s Arguments for a Theatre and in these two passages the similarities are striking. If you are not familiar with the work of Howard Barker, I strongly recommend reading this available passage from his 6-hour epic The Ecstatic Bible and I would also recommend the other texts referenced here too.
From Brecht on Theatre (ed. John Willett, 1974 Methuen: London, p37)
| DRAMATIC THEATRE | EPIC THEATRE |
| plot | narrative |
| implicates the spectator in a stage situation | turns the spectator into an observer |
| wears down his capacity for action | arouses his capacity for action |
| provides him with sensations | forces him to take decisions |
| experience | picture of the world |
| the spectator is involved in something | he is made to face something |
| suggestion | argument |
| instinctive feelings are preserved | brought to the point of recognition |
| the spectator is in the thick of it, shares the experience | the spectator stands outside, studies |
| the human being is taken for granted | the human being is the object of the enquiry |
| he is unalterable | he is alterable and able to alter |
| eyes on the finish | eyes on the course |
| one scene makes another | each scene for itself |
| growth | montage |
| linear development | in curves |
| evolutionary determinism | jumps |
| man as a fixed point | man as a process |
| thought determines being | social being determines thought |
| feeling | reason |
From Arguments For a Theatre (Howard Barker, 1989 Manchester University Press: Manchester, p71)
| HUMANIST THEATRE | CATASTOPHIC THEATRE |
| We all really agree. | We only sometimes agree. |
| When we laugh we are together. | Laughter conceals fear. |
| Art must be understood. | Art is a problem of understanding. |
| Wit greases the message. | There is no message. |
| The actor is a man/woman not | The actor is different in kind. |
| unlike the author. | |
| The production must be clear. | The audience cannot grasp |
| everything; nor could the author. | |
| We celebrate our unity. | We quarrel to love. |
| The critic is already | The critic must suffer like |
| The message is important. | The play is important. |
| The audience is educated | The audience is divided |
| and goes home | and goes home |
| happy | disturbed |
| or | or |
| fortified. | amazed. |
Interesting. I am currently directing a Brecht play and this is a really useful way of summarising his thought – and an interesting comparison. Thanks!
Thanks for visiting Claire. Glad this post was of some use to you.
I see you\’re directing The Caucasian Chalk Circle. I hope it goes well for you.