Not/But

"Not/But" is a Brectian acting technique where actors will perform a scene, firstly the way it is written but then show it again ( with alternative outcomes, in order to make the audience think about what the outcome could've been if the characters had made those different choices and suggesting there are other options so that the audience starts to question why the character chose to do what they did. It also suggests and replicates that in life that there is never only one option.

In class we looked at The Caucasian Chalk Circle, a scene where the Governor's Wife is told a Mob surrounds her home and she grabs all her jewellery before abandoning her son. We had some people to act this out first as how it is written but then we then suggested other options the Wife could've taken.
For example: 

• Taking her child
• Staying to fight
• Letting her child escape

Doing the scene TJ, as the Wife, broke the fourth wall, directly addressing the audience as she weighed up what she should do next. I felt this was a clear way to show how the character had alternate choice because the different options were clearly voiced, causing the audience to question why the Wife chose to save her jewels, suggesting how her love of material goods out weighed her maternal love.
He then also chose to repeat the scene, although showing a different outcome to before, to physically show how there was other options, which I felt gave the spectators a glimpse into what they'd like to see her do, before the scene reverted back to what is mentioned in the text, when we see the her true colours. 

I found this idea was very helpful to make audiences question characters motives behind what they do, asking them to think about why the character chose to do what they did and not the another option. It gives an insight into the character's true self, comparing them with different versions of them self which are a contrast to what the text suggests.
However it can also help audiences understand why a character might chose a certain option, as they can compare alternatives and are able to see which best suits the character.