Causes of Laughter
This cause of laughter comes when pressure is built up and released.
Relief
The lines are spoken directly to the audience and are unheard by other characters onstage.
Aside
The way a play is written, acted, directed, and produced.
This type features unreal characters in dreamy and imaginary scenes.
Fantasy (M)
Follows the love between man and woman without serious problems; Portrays how we want life to be.
Romantic Comedy (M)
This type of laughter is the result of looking forward to a potential laugh.
Anticipation
Representation of real life; The way life really is or was.
Realism
The actors acknowledge the audience and may speak directly to them.
Presentational
This form seeks to right the wrongs of society. Some of them can be tragedies.
Social Drama (M)
This form tugs at the heart and makes us smile and laugh. It portrays average people working for others.
Sentimental Comedy (M)
Based on double meaning of lines or characters.
Ambiguity
Integrates the fourth wall; The characters are not aware of the audience.
Representational
Characters, props, and even sets stand for or represent something else.
Symbolism
This is an exaggerated serious play or parody of either suspense, greed, or mystery.
Melodrama (M)
This form imitates a work of literature. It’s a form of Burlesque.
Parody (L)
Based upon things that do not fit the time, place, or character.
Incongruity
New and experimental style.
Avant-garde
Is a form of symbolism. The characters represent abstract qualities like Truth, Love, God, Beauty, etc.
Allegory
This form is an attack on accepted conventions or flaws of humanity (politics, education, philosophy, etc.)
Satire (H)
Practically everything done in this form is for laughs. This includes clowning, slapstick, chase scenes, & satire.
Farce (L)
A cause of laughter that results from the audience knowing it is not really happening.
Protection Factor
Developed by Bertolt Brecht; Used signs, projections, & films. Portrayed broad phases of human experience. Formed in the 1930s between WWI and WWII.
Epic Theatre
Developed by Meyerhold and contrasts with realism; Skeletal sets and acting style, almost robotic.
Constructivism
This comedy pokes fun at people through caricatures, mockery, etc.
Burlesque (L)
Criticizes foolish actions, thoughts, and claims of particular segments of society; usually the upper class.
Comedy of Manners (H)