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Why Is That So Funny?
By John Wright
Nick Hern Books £12.99
352 pages
Dateline: 6th August, 2006
In many ways, the subtitle of this book says more about it than the
real one. It is indeed "a practical exploration of physical comedy"
written by a man who really has been there and done that.
Over a long and very successful career, John Wright has worked with
many of Britain's finest physical theatre companies co-founding both
Told by an Idiot and Trestle as well as working closely with Complicite.
With credentials like this, one has complete faith in the author and
this is richly justified by a very thorough book that is interesting
for the general reader and should prove essential for practitioners
and those that would like to specialise in this increasingly popular
form.
For much of the book, Wright dissects human nature, movement and body
language and then using numerous "games" explains how an actor
can learn to behave in ways that are implicitly funny.
This book is a real labour of love and it is hard to believe that there
is any aspect of the subject that John Wright does not explore and explain,
often drawing on his experience and using practical examples of situations
in which specific techniques are likely to be appropriate.
Why Is That So Funny? is divided into four parts, the first
of which analyses acting and uses games that can help the actors to
understand themselves, and also the ways in which people perceive each
other leading to a complicity with each other and the audience, that
is required if performers are to operate effectively.
The next section brings in meaning and the last two look at different
types of clowning from the simple that we all recognise through pathetic
to tragic and finally, the varied elements of parody.
Throughout, the author intersperses sections of analysis with the games,
in which he believes so deeply, and this has the benefit of breaking
up the text so that it never feels overly academic or heavy.
It is hard to believe that that any actor, other than those who have
already worked with Mr Wright, would not benefit greatly from studying
his magnum opus. It could also have a profound effect on theatre-goers
who will derive a far better understanding of the techniques used by
physical actors and also certain types of stand-up comedian and this
should greatly enhance their appreciation of performances.
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