Forced Entertainment

Definition

Forced Entertainment is a performance company known for its innovative and often provocative theatrical work that challenges traditional storytelling and presentation methods. Their style emphasizes the artificiality of theatre, engaging audiences in a way that highlights the constructed nature of performance, which connects to the idea of Verfremdungseffekt, or alienation effect, by making the familiar feel strange and prompting viewers to critically reflect on what they are witnessing.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Forced Entertainment often employs unconventional formats, such as improvisation and minimal staging, to challenge audiences' expectations of what theatre should be.
2. Their work frequently incorporates elements of absurdism and dark humor, forcing audiences to confront uncomfortable truths about society and human behavior.
3. The company's performances can blur the line between reality and fiction, making viewers aware of their own role as spectators in the theatrical experience.
4. Forced Entertainment's approach aligns closely with Brecht's ideas on alienation, as they seek to create a distance between the audience and the performance to provoke reflection.
5. Their innovative style has influenced contemporary theatre by inspiring new forms of expression that prioritize audience engagement and critical thinking over conventional narrative delivery.

Review Questions

• How does Forced Entertainment utilize techniques related to Verfremdungseffekt to engage their audience?
  • Forced Entertainment employs techniques reminiscent of Verfremdungseffekt by breaking down traditional storytelling methods and emphasizing the constructed nature of their performances. By using improvisation and minimal staging, they create a sense of detachment that prompts audiences to critically reflect on what they are watching. This strategy encourages viewers to question not just the content but also the form and purpose of the theatrical experience.
• In what ways does Forced Entertainment's style challenge conventional ideas about theatricality?
  • Forced Entertainment challenges conventional ideas about theatricality by deliberately employing non-traditional performance styles that disrupt expectations. Their use of absurdism, dark humor, and improvisation draws attention to the artificial aspects of theatre, which contrasts with more realistic portrayals. This approach invites audiences to reconsider their understanding of performance and its relationship to reality.
• Evaluate the impact of Forced Entertainment's work on contemporary theatre and its connection to broader movements like postdramatic theatre.
  • The impact of Forced Entertainment on contemporary theatre is significant, as they have pushed boundaries by favoring experiential and conceptual approaches over linear narratives. Their focus on audience engagement has paved the way for movements like postdramatic theatre, where the event of performance itself takes precedence. By emphasizing the role of spectators in interpreting meaning, Forced Entertainment has inspired a new generation of artists to explore innovative forms that reflect social realities while encouraging critical thought.

Related terms

Verfremdungseffekt: A theatrical technique developed by Bertolt Brecht intended to prevent the audience from getting lost in the story, encouraging critical observation and thought about social issues.

Theatricality: The quality of being theatrical, often characterized by exaggerated performances or stylized presentation that emphasizes the artifice of theatre.

Postdramatic Theatre: A form of theatre that moves away from traditional narrative structures, focusing instead on the event of performance itself and the experience it creates for the audience.