Why Is That So Funny?

A Practical Exploration of Physical Comedy

John Wright, Toby Jones

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Nick Hern Books
06 April 2006

Theatre Studies

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

By: John Wright
Foreword by: Toby Jones
Imprint: Nick Hern Books
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 215mm, Width: 135mm, Spine: 30mm
Weight: 431g
ISBN: 9781854597823
ISBN 10: 1854597825
Pages: 192
Publication Date: 06 April 2006
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

John Wright is a director and a teacher of performance skills. He set up Trestle Theatre to investigate mime and masks, then founded Told by an Idiot, a theatre company that specialises in physical comedy.

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

'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 *