Spass

Spass literally translates from German to English as "fun". Brecht realised that whilst an audience laughs they are also thinking. Brechtian Theatre isn't all serious, comedy is integral part of engaging an audience and delivering an important messages. Spass was also a good tension breaker, if the tension got too high then the audience might start following the emotional journey of a character. Types of Spass include; stand up routines, song, slapstick, physical comedy, or even a game. It isn't just purposeless silliness however, there was a strong message behind the comedy. This is because it is used to treat a serious subject.  It's all about making the audience question why the actually laughed. They start examining their own views and whether they should laugh or not.

For example:                                          

This joke highlights disability through clever word play. Brecht might have used a joke like this if he was making a comment on the way we treat amputees. I feel like everyone has a sense of dark humour even if they won't admit to it, so spass is another effective means on holding a mirror up to the audience. 

Exercise: Servants and masters - We played a game in which 5 or so people were masters and the rest of us were servants, what the master demanded we had to supply not matter what it was, if they needed a seat you became a seat, if they wanted some water we had to get it as soon as possible. If they didn't get what they wanted the game was over. From an outside perspective this might have seen funny and could've been a social commentary on the bourgeoisie lifestyle and the way the proletariat obey every command even though they are the majority. However playing it wasn't very fun to be honest and I don't feel like this exercise helped to demonstrate an effective use of Spass.