Study SOURCE A below and answer the question that follows - NSC Dramatic Arts - Question 1 - 2019 - Paper 1

To evaluate the statement from SOURCE A, we can start by exploring the impact that theatre has on audiences. Theatre indeed has the ability to evoke thought and emotion, facilitating a shared experience between performers and spectators. This aligns with key principles seen in the 20th Century Theatre Movement.

Impact on Audiences

Theatre can serve as a mirror to society, reflecting the complexities and contradictions of human experience. For example, plays in the Epic Theatre style, popularized by Bertolt Brecht, encourage audiences to question societal norms and think critically about the issues being presented. By using techniques such as alienation effect, Brecht aimed to prompt spectators to engage with the thematic concerns of a play rather than becoming passive consumers of entertainment.

Use of Dramatic Elements

1. Characters: The characters in plays like 'Mother Courage and Her Children' serve not only as individuals within a narrative but also as representations of broader societal issues. The struggles and moral choices of Mother Courage illustrate the cost of war and capitalism, encouraging audiences to empathize with her plight while simultaneously critiquing the systems at play.

2. Themes: The theme of existentialism as seen in plays written during the Absurdist movement, such as Samuel Beckett's 'Waiting for Godot', profoundly explores human despair and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe. Such themes resonate deeply and challenge audiences to reflect on their own lives.

3. Language: The use of innovative language and dialogue can further enhance the audience's emotional engagement. The idiosyncratic speech patterns of characters in the Absurd plays often highlight the alienation experienced in modern society, compelling the audience to feel and think critically about their own realities.

4. Staging Techniques: The use of unconventional staging and breaking the fourth wall in postmodern theatre forces audiences to confront the mechanics of performance. This technique invites viewers to scrutinize how narratives are constructed, altering their perception and experience of the story being told.

Conclusion

In conclusion, theatre's capacity to make us think and feel is profoundly evident in the practices of the 20th Century Theatre Movement. By employing innovative dramatic elements, theatre not only changes our experience of life but also inspires reflection and critique on the world around us.