Epic Theatre Conventions vs Dramatic Theatre
Epic Theatre
Breaking the fourth wall
Imaginary wall between actors and audience
Audience becomes active members of the theatrical experience
Keeps audience thinking and on their feet
Narration
Reminds audience that they are watching a presentation of a story
Narrator sometimes tells the audience something before it has happened
Promotes interruption of the emotional connection as the narrator already announces it
Vocal Stage Directions
More frequently used in rehearsal > performance
Helps distance actor from the character they are playing
Reminds audiences that they are watching a play
Focusing on actors details and performance technique
Split Role
More than one actor plays the same character
Actor may rotate scene to scene
This keeps that character representational and inhibits emotional involvement and attachment on the part of the audience
Lighting
Simple lighting
Message >production values
Use of harsh white light as this illuminates the truth
However, many modern productions do use lighting effects
Important thing is that the audience still see the theatre, so often they will see production personnel, such as backstage crew, in action on the stage rather than hidden
Dramatic Theatre
Use of placards to give information to the audience
Musical theatre is involved; breaking into a song
Use of slow motion
Narration is visible
Stage is split up into different locations that make up the play
Split role is used for the actors
Interaction with the audience; actor addresses the audience
Soliloquy - solo speech given by the actor to discuss thoughts, feelings and emotions
Background music
Linear Narrative - events occur in a chronological order
Non linear narrative - scenes jump about in time(not chronological)
No definitive story or plot (just overall message)
Definitive plot and story