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Printed by: stephen@[Link]. Printing is for personal, private use only. No part of this book may be
reproduced or transmitted without publisher's prior permission. Violators will be prosecuted.
Printed by: stephen@[Link]. Printing is for personal, private use only. No part of this book may be
reproduced or transmitted without publisher's prior permission. Violators will be prosecuted.
– Comedy and Tragedy
Unit 1: Exploring Comedy and Tragedy
1. Drama Elements
• Timing: A critical element in both comedy and tragedy. Timing involves coordinating
actions, gestures, and facial expressions to convey emotions or humor effectively.
o In comedy, precise timing makes actions funny (e.g., a perfectly timed fall).
o In tragedy, timing builds emotional intensity (e.g., pausing before a dramatic
moment).
• Body Movement: Using your body to express emotions or tell a story, especially
when facial expressions are limited (e.g., with masks).
• Facial Expressions: Exaggerated in comedy for humor; subtle or intense in tragedy to
show deep emotions like sorrow or anger.
2. Comedy in Drama
• What is Comedy?
o A type of drama designed to entertain and make the audience laugh through
exaggerated movements, timing, and expressions.
o Often involves physical humor (slapstick) and playful interactions.
• Key Comedy Techniques (from the document):
o Double Take:
▪ A character looks at the audience or another actor, looks away, then
quickly looks back to show surprise or realization.
▪ Requires excellent timing and exaggerated facial expressions.
▪ Purpose: Highlights a funny or surprising moment.
o Falls:
▪ Characters trip or fall humorously, similar to clowning.
▪ How to Do It: Walk normally, turn your head back, and trip your front
foot’s heel with your back foot. Use surprised facial expressions.
▪ Safety: Rehearse falls carefully to avoid injury.
▪ Purpose: Creates physical humor.
o Ear Pulls and Hair Pulls:
▪ The “victim” pulls the other actor’s hand toward their ear or hair, while
the “puller” pushes back to create resistance.
▪ Use exaggerated facial expressions for comic effect.
▪ Purpose: Adds playful physical comedy.
o Stage Slaps (Advanced):
▪ A staged slap that looks real but is safe.
▪ How to Do It: The “slapper” aims near the face without contact; the
“slapped” actor reacts with sound and movement.
▪ Safety Note: Only attempt with thorough rehearsal and supervision.
▪ Purpose: Adds dramatic humor.
• Activity: Comedy Skills:
o Work in a group to research additional comedy techniques (e.g., exaggerated
walks or pratfalls).
o Watch clips of comedians like Charlie Chaplin or Laurel and Hardy for
inspiration.
o Practice one technique (e.g., double take or fall) and perform it for the class.
o Discuss: How does timing affect the humor?
3. Tragedy in Drama
• What is Tragedy?
o A type of drama that explores serious themes, often involving loss, suffering,
or conflict, leading to a sad or dramatic ending.
o Aims to evoke emotions like sadness, pity, or fear in the audience.
• Key Features:
o Emotional Depth: Characters face serious challenges or moral dilemmas.
o Expressive Movements: Use slower, deliberate body movements to show
grief or tension.
o Facial Expressions: Subtle or intense to convey pain, anger, or despair.
o Timing: Pauses and slow pacing build emotional impact.
• Activity: Tragic Scene:
o In a group, create a short scene showing a tragic moment (e.g., a character
receiving bad news).
o Use body language and minimal dialogue to convey sadness or loss.
o Perform for the class and discuss: How did body movements show the
emotion?
4. Greek Masks of Comedy and Tragedy
• Historical Context:
o In ancient Greek theatre, actors used masks to indicate whether a play was a
comedy (humorous) or tragedy (serious).
o Masks had exaggerated features to amplify emotions in large outdoor theatres.
o Actors switched masks to play multiple roles.
• Modern Use:
o Masks focus attention on body movements, especially in mime or physical
theatre.
o In comedy, masks may exaggerate smiles or silly expressions.
o In tragedy, masks show sorrowful or intense expressions.
• Activity: Acting with a Blank Mask:
o Work in a group to create a short mimed story (comedy or tragedy) using a
blank mask.
o Since the mask hides facial expressions, use exaggerated body movements to
convey emotions (e.g., slumped shoulders for sadness, energetic gestures for
humor).
o Perform and discuss:
▪ Was the story clear to the audience?
▪ What was challenging about acting without facial expressions?
5. Key Concepts
• Comedy: Uses humor, exaggeration, and timing to entertain (e.g., slapstick, double
takes).
• Tragedy: Explores serious themes to evoke deep emotions like sadness or pity.
• Mime: Telling a story without words, using body language and gestures.
• Slapstick: Physical comedy with exaggerated actions like falls or fake fights.
• Timing: Precise control of actions and reactions to enhance comedy or tragedy.
6. Practical Tips
• Rehearse: Practice movements (falls, double takes, or tragic gestures) to ensure they
are safe and effective.
• Exaggerate in Comedy: Use big gestures and expressions to make the audience
laugh.
• Be Subtle in Tragedy: Use controlled movements to show deep emotions.
• Work Together: Coordinate with group members for smooth performances.
• Stay Safe: Prioritize safety in physical techniques, especially falls or stage slaps.
7. Reflection Questions '):/</:?3狣
• How does a blank mask change the way you perform comedy or tragedy?
• Why is timing important in both comedy and tragedy?
• How can body movements show happiness in comedy or sadness in tragedy?
• What did you learn from practicing comedy techniques or tragic scenes?
