Epic Theatre conventions

Actor's playing more than one character

spoken commentary to communicate a story to the audience

actors spoke directly to the audience, thus breaking the fourth wall

a theatrical technique that is the combination of a gesture and a social meaning in a singular movement, stance or vocal display. It is used to convey the thematic ideas significant to the play or the particular scene, as well as denoted a character’s social attitude and relationships with others.

Not used to heighten the emotion of the scene, but instead highlight the didactic message being communicated throughout the drama. Used to provoke thought, dispel illusion and drive out emotion.

the effect that makes things seem strange or different. The term refers to the use of various devices to make things appear in a new light, so we consider them with intellectual objectivity, robbed of their conventional outward appearance.

used to show the audience information significant to the performance

Not individually identifiable (stereotypical) and often incomplete or fragmentary. Furthermore served the function of denoting the character’s role in society, and, subsequently, their wealth and class.