Why Is That So Funny?
A Practical Exploration of Physical Comedy
Published on 6. April 2006
Book
Paperback/Softback
352 pages
978-1-85459-782-3 (ISBN)
Description
A practical investigation of how comedy works, by a well-respected practitioner and teacher. With a Foreword by Toby Jones.
Comedy is recognised as one of the most problematic areas of performances. For that reason, it is rarely written about in any systematic way. John Wright, founder of Trestle Theatre and Told by an Idiot, brings a wide range of experience of physical comedy to this unique exploration of comedy and comedic techniques.
The book opens with an analysis of the different kinds of laughter that can be provoked by performance. This is followed by the main part of the book: games and exercises devised to demonstrate and investigate the whole range of comic possibilities open to a performer.
Why Is That So Funny? is an invaluable book for teachers and performers, and a fascinating read for anyone interested in how comedy works.
Comedy is recognised as one of the most problematic areas of performances. For that reason, it is rarely written about in any systematic way. John Wright, founder of Trestle Theatre and Told by an Idiot, brings a wide range of experience of physical comedy to this unique exploration of comedy and comedic techniques.
The book opens with an analysis of the different kinds of laughter that can be provoked by performance. This is followed by the main part of the book: games and exercises devised to demonstrate and investigate the whole range of comic possibilities open to a performer.
Why Is That So Funny? is an invaluable book for teachers and performers, and a fascinating read for anyone interested in how comedy works.
Reviews / Votes
'A welcome relief from the flood of performance studies theory, being firmly based in a lifetime of practice ... a must for any budding physical comedy performers - and an inspiration for everyone who treads the boards, whether they think of themselves as 'comedic' or not' * Total Theatre Magazine * 'John Wright's magnum opus... a real labour of love and it is hard to believe that there is any aspect of the subject that he does not explore and explain... essential' * British Theatre Guide *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 215 mm
Width: 135 mm
Thickness: 30 mm
Weight
431 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-85459-782-3 (9781854597823)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
09/2016
Nick Hern Books
€20.99
Available for download
Persons
John Wright is a director and teacher of theatre whose work is in much demand all over the world. He co-founded Trestle Theatre Company in the early eighties and co-directed much of their work. In 1992 he co-founded Told by an Idiot with Paul Hunter and Hayley Carmichael.
Content
About Laughter The Gentle Art of Playfulness (Play; Complicity; Theatre as Game) Messing About with Meaning (States of Tension; Rhythm; Timing; Making Choices and Shaping Action) The Gentle Art of Idiocy (Simple Clown; Pathetic Clown; Tragic Clown) The Gentle Art of Ridicule (Parody; Pastiche; Caricature; Burlesque; Buffoon)