The common translation of the German expression Verfremdungseffekt or V-Effekt (alienation effect) is a term used by Bertolt Brecht (1898 – 1956) to denote the intentional effect of dispelling the realistic illusion of the dramatic illusion of a dramatic work.
The audience needs to be shaken by the realization that what they see is not real because only then does it cease to be a passive perceiver and can be critically involved in the process. A means by which this effect can be achieved is an acting actor who has left his role and commented on how badly another participant is performing his role.
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