Epic theatre is a style of theatre that is known for its political and social message. It uses various techniques to detach the audience from the story and make them think critically about the issues presented. Synonyms for epic theatre include Brechtian theatre, political theatre, social theatre, dialectical theatre, and alienation theatre. Brechtian theatre is named after the German playwright Bertolt Brecht, who popularized the style in the 1920s. Political theatre focuses on presenting political ideas and critiques of the government. Social theatre covers issues related to society and social structures. Dialectical theatre highlights the contradictions of society and emphasizes debate between characters. Alienation theatre intends to make the audience feel estranged from the story to encourage critical thinking.