Comedy

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Subject

Comedy developed in opposition to tragedy and is generally intended to create laughter through the presentation of humorous dialogue or physical action, but more usually through a combination of both.

Circus

An emphasis on large-scale spectacle and virtuosic achievement has always been integral to circus, an influential and continually evolving popular theatre form, with its roots in early Roman times.

Circus list — Circus

An emphasis on large-scale spectacle and virtuosic achievement has always been integral to circus, an influential and continually evolving popular theatre form, with its roots in early Roman times.

Clowns & Clowning

With their historic connection to the court jester, clowns can share a similar performative function: to create an uncomfortable type of laughter in which we are implicated in social dysfunction.

Clowns & Clowning

With their historic connection to the court jester, clowns can share a similar performative function: to create an uncomfortable type of laughter in which we are implicated in social dysfunction.

Commedia dell’Arte

Commedia dell’arte is a performance form that originated in Italy during the 16th century. It is based on highly physical improvised performance around sketches or scenarios, with stock characters.

Commedia subject ii thumbnail — Commedia dell’Arte

Commedia dell’arte is a performance form that originated in Italy during the 16th century. It is based on highly physical improvised performance around sketches or scenarios, with stock characters.

Dada

Pioneered by a trans-European group of artists, Dada is an ‘anti-art’ form that came into being in 1916, partly as a deliberately illogical response to the perceived irrationality of World War One.

Dada list view — Dada

Pioneered by a trans-European group of artists, Dada is an ‘anti-art’ form that came into being in 1916, partly as a deliberately illogical response to the perceived irrationality of World War One.

Physical Comedy

Physical comedy prioritises the body as a signifier in performance, playing on comic dimensions and potential, and requiring a level of training that focuses on gymnastic as well as comic skills.

Impro comedy subject list view — Physical Comedy

Physical comedy prioritises the body as a signifier in performance, playing on comic dimensions and potential, and requiring a level of training that focuses on gymnastic as well as comic skills.

Street Theatre

Many performance traditions have involved parades and displays in streets, towns or village squares, and the majority of these performances have been constructed with this spatial context in mind.

Street Theatre subject list view — Street Theatre

Many performance traditions have involved parades and displays in streets, towns or village squares, and the majority of these performances have been constructed with this spatial context in mind.