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Why Is That So Funny?: A Practical Exploration of Physical Comedy

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Why Is That So Funny?: A Practical Exploration of Physical Comedy (Paperback)

by John Wright (Author)

5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

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The Moving Body (le Corps Poetique): Teaching Creative Theatre (Performance Books) by Jacques Lecoq
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Impro (Performance Books): Improvisation and the Theatre by Keith Johnstone
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Product details

Paperback: 270 pages
Publisher: Nick Hern Books (28 April 2006)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1854597825
ISBN-13: 978-1854597823
Product Dimensions: 21 x 13.6 x 2.8 cm

Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 68,720 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Popular in these categories:

#1 in	Books > Art, Architecture & Photography > Styles & Movements > Performance Art
#10 in	Books > Music, Stage & Screen > Performing Arts > Comedy & Stand-up
#16 in	Books > Poetry, Drama & Criticism > Drama > Genres > Comedies

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Synopsis

Comedy is recognised as one of the most problematic areas of performance. For that reason, it is rarely written about in any systematic way. John Wright was original founder of Trestle Theatre before establishing his current company, the acclaimed Told By An Idiot (recent success: Playing the Victim). He therefore brings a wide range of experience of physical comedy to this, his first book, a unique exploration of comedy and of comedic techniques. The first part of the book is about the various kinds of laughter that can be provoked by performance. The meat of the book consists of games and exercises devised to demonstrate and investigate the whole range of comic possibilities open to a performer. The result is a deeply but satisfyingly provocative book, in which every assertion in this most subjective of fields is put to the practical test. Everyone interested in how comedy works will be thoroughly stimulated by this book, but teachers and performers will find it invaluable.

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	86% buy the item featured on this page: Why Is That So Funny?: A Practical Exploration of Physical Comedy 5.0 out of 5 stars (3) �8.99
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Customer Reviews

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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars old dog - new tricks, 25 Jul 2007

By	A. Artaud "bob the angry clown" (manchester, uk) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Why Is That So Funny?: A Practical Exploration of Physical Comedy (Paperback)

First a confession: a few years ago I was subject to ritual humiliation in one of John Wright's workshops - each time I reluctantly clambered to my feet to engage with one of his exercises my efforts were greeted by a forest of hands telling me I was patently not interesting and certainly not amusing. (Read the book for reference to this exercise) I went away feeling bruised and somewhat resentful of those to whom clowning and buffoonery appeared to come easily. It was only later that I realised I had been taught an incredibly valuable lesson, and one that should have been obvious to a drama professional: always pay attention to your audience - they will let you know if they like what you are doing - and if they don't - try doing something else.

This book is a manual of useful exercises; a personal philosophy of performance; and a lifelong journey of discovery and exploration around the broad area of theatrical clowning and physical comedy. It is written in a jargon-free style, whose use of self-effacing anecdote made me laugh out loud on a number of occasions. The descriptions of the exercises are precise and detailed, enabling the experienced teacher to visualise and adapt easily. The book has a resemblance to Keith Johnstone's classic text 'Impro', in both its structural format and its very real enjoyment of and passionate engagement with its subject matter. In a time where educators are encouraged to 'facilitate' rather than teach, where the notion of 'failure' has been erased from the curriculum, John Wright teaches us the most valuable lesson of all - failure is fundamentally and absolutely how we learn - we just have to 'keep getting up', keep taking risks, and keep trying new things - and always, always, watch the audience.

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real work and highly recommended! , 29 Dec 2006

By	J. Ferguson (Minneapolis, MN. USA) - See all my reviews

This book clearly lays out the fundamentals of John Wright's work. It breaks apart acting clich�s and the far too frequent stuffiness of theater. It gives theater makers and performers tools and practical exercises that really work. And it will help you to make work! He draws on his vast experience and explorations with actors and other great master teachers and theater makers. His work is liberating and inspiring and this book reads that way. And it's about alot more than just comedy. It will make you want to go out and make a play right away. Your work will be better for it.

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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an easy book to read, 25 Feb 2009

By	Mr. L. Rice - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

i'm about half way through this and it's the best book on acting i've read. It helps if you can actually get off the page and do some of the exercises. It's also a good read, written by someone who doesn't seem to buy into all the BS you find in a lot of academic texts.

If your interested in creating your own work it has lot's of games to help your ideas develop in interesting ways. I would have thought it would also be an excellent tool if you teach acting.

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