The idea that a theatrical
play should deliberately
alienate its viewers. This idea was concieved of by the
German playwright Bertolt Brecht and implemented in his "
epic plays". Brecht held that the
alienation would force the audience to consider seriously the political content of his plays, by forcing them to step back from the drama on stage and consider issues rationally. This was in stark contrast to the
Realist and
Naturalist drama popular at that time.
(hah...and they said a
theater degree would never be useful)