Why Is That So Funny?

A Practical Exploration of Physical Comedy

By: John Wright, Toby Jones (Foreword by)

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Paperback | 6 April 2006

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352 Pages

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21.5 x 14 x 1.5

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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.

'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

Industry Reviews

'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 *

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Introduction : about laughter	p. 3
The gentle art of playfulness	p. 25
Play	p. 27
Complicity	p. 48
Theatre as game	p. 80
Messing about with meaning	p. 97
States of tension	p. 103
Rhythm	p. 123
Timing	p. 145
Making choices and shaping action	p. 163
The gentle art of idiocy	p. 177
Simple clown	p. 179
Pathetic clown	p. 219
Tragic clown	p. 236
The gentle art of ridicule	p. 249
Parody	p. 251
Pastiche	p. 270
Caricature	p. 277
Burlesque	p. 288
Buffoon	p. 298
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.

Why Is That So Funny?

A Practical Exploration of Physical Comedy

At a Glance

Paperback

Industry Reviews

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

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Bloomsbury Revelations

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The Chubbuck Technique - The 12-Step Acting Method for Creating Dynamic Characters

Voice Training Through Acting and Movement

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This product is categorised by

A Practitioners Guide