Module: COM5001-20 High Comedy

Level: 5

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Sarah Holden-Boyd

Module Tutor Contact Details: s.holden-boyd@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This module considers comedic work where the emphasis on is wit and repartee. It acknowledges that this comedic genre often draws on social-political strata in defining its humour. The module will build upon skills developed in Acting Processes for Comedy and establish the foundations for work on full-scale directed comedic plays at level six. Alongside a practical exploration you will be introduced to a range of theories associated with the philosophical consideration of comedy and humour.

The module aims are:

• Explore the linguistic and structural forms of wit and repartee utilized in comedic drama

• Instil ways of applying post-Stanislavskian acting methodologies to high comedy

• Develop your understanding of theories associated with the philosophical consideration of comedy and humour

2.Outline syllabus

You will consider the rules and structures of wit and repartee. You will examine how puns and epigrams and the pacing of text inform the uniting of the text. This will require you to consider how the notion of the ‘joke’ aligns with a ‘Stanislavskian’ unit of thought. You will also look at how writers plant a series of smaller comedic thoughts in the build up to a dramatic high point, so that the ‘punchline’ aligns with a significant moment in the text. The aim is to build up your ability read text and observe where the comedic moment is, and how to invigorate text with a through character line that is truthful and at the same time highlight the ridiculous or humorous.

Practical Sessions will also introduce you to a range of high comedy plays, such as (but not limited to) the works of Charles Vanbrugh, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Oliver Goldsmith, Oscar Wilde, Noel Coward, Neil Simon, Alan Ayckbourn, Alan Bennett,and Michael Frayn. This will also lead to your work on some of these texts so that you can begin to develop the detection skills required to perform these texts.

The module will also develop your understanding of philosophical perspectives on comedy and humour and accommodate your further development of academic writing and research skills.

3.Teaching and learning activities

Your classes will be workshops or rehearsal based. You will begin by examining the unit of thought and the kinds of devices used by the writers to mark the stages in a comedic unit of thought. Rehearsals will focus on scenes from high comedy plays, where you will develop characters and through work with other colleagues develop processes for engaging with high comedy text.

Lecture/seminars will introduce you to philosophical viewpoints on humour and encourage you to consider the content, reception and wider socio-political implications of comedic text and performance.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Practical Project Presentation (1 piece)

• % Weighting: 60%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Essay (2,000 words)

• % Weighting: 40%