Devices using the 'v' effect
A theatrical device is a method or technique used onstage which has an aim or purpose. The aim when using the 'v' effect is to ensure that the audience are constantly reminded that they鈥檙e watching a piece of theatre.
Narration
Narration is used to remind the audience that what they鈥檙e watching is a presentation of a story. Sometimes the narrator will tell us what happens in the story before it has happened. This is a good way of making sure that we don鈥檛 become emotionally involved in the action to come as we already know the outcome.
Coming out of role / third person narration
Commenting upon a character as an actor is a clear way of reminding the audience of theatricality. For example, midway through a heightened scene the action might break for the actor to comment upon their character in the third person, 鈥楧arius felt his anger rise. He wasn鈥檛 being listened to and wanted revenge鈥, before returning to the scene.
Speaking the stage directions
This device was used by Brecht more frequently in rehearsal than performance. It helps distance the actor from the character they鈥檙e playing. It also reminds the audience that they鈥檙e watching a play and forces them to study the actions of a character in objective detail.
Direct address
Speaking directly to the audience breaks the fourth wall and destroys any illusion of reality. An example would be the moment where Grusha pleads to save baby Michael in The Caucasian Chalk Circle by Brecht: I brought him up, shall I also tear him to bits? I can鈥檛.
Using placards
A placard is a sign or additional piece of written information presented onstage. Using placards might be as simple as holding up a card or banner. Multimedia or a PowerPoint slideshow can also be used for this effect. The musical, Miss Saigon, for example, used a slideshow to demonstrate the loss of lives in the Vietnam War which was highly effective. What鈥檚 important is that the information doesn鈥檛 just comment upon the action but deepens our understanding of it.
For example, a married couple are arguing and the wife is very upset. If the actress held up a placard saying 鈥業鈥檓 miserable鈥 that wouldn鈥檛 tell us anything about the character that we didn鈥檛 already know. However, if her placard said 鈥業鈥檓 having an affair鈥 or 鈥業鈥檝e never loved him鈥 the audience would be forced to consider other aspects of their relationship and to think about deeper reasons behind her tears.