Information AboutFarce |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT FARCE | |
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A farce is a Comedy written for the stage or film which aims to Entertain the audience by means of unlikely, extravagant and improbable situations, disguise and mistaken identity, verbal Humour of varying degrees of sophistication, which may include sexual Innuendo and word play, and a fast-paced Plot whose speed usually increases, culminating in an ending which often involves an elaborate chase scene. Farce is also chracterized by physical humour, the use of deliberate absurdity or nonsense, and broadly stylized performances. CHARACTERISTICS As opposed to romantic comedies, farces usually do not utilize a traditional plot involving frustrated young lovers who eventually surmount all obstacles. Rather, they frequently focus on a Transgression or on a character's urge to hide something from the other characters, and the unforeseen chain reaction that results. In staged farce there is usually only one setting throughout the play, often one with numerous doors, such as a drawing room, Hotel or Hospital room or an Office . Film farces are typically much more expansive in the use of space. Having no time to step back and consider what they have been doing or will be doing next, the character who has something to hide soon passes the Point Of No Return , erroneously believing that any course of action is preferable to being found out or admitting the truth themselves. This way they get deeper and deeper into trouble. The protagonist is usually presented sympathetically, encouraging the audience to identify with them and hope for their success. This "skeleton in the closet" may be real or merely a misunderstanding or misinterpretation of facts. It is sometimes a secret which concerns the immediate present or the long-forgotten past and has just re-emerged and started to threaten the main character's security or peace and quiet. The secret typically reflects the social , it might be a woman lying about her real age, or a man having fathered an illegitimate child. In the 20th Century , as audience attitudes towards Infidelity shifted, the farce often consisted not of a protagonist trying to prevent an extra-marital affair from becoming publicly known, but of trying unsuccessfully to pursue an affair. Some modern farces are based on an attempt to conceal general blunder and incompetence, without a strong sexual theme - for example Fawlty Towers . Many farces move at a frantic pace toward the climax, in which the initial problem is resolved one way or another, often through a '' Deus Ex Machina '' twist of the plot. Generally, there is a happy ending. The convention of Poetic Justice is not always observed: The protagonist may get away with what he or she has been trying to hide at all costs, even if it is a criminal act. Farce in general is highly tolerant of transgressive behavior, and tends to depict human beings as vain, irrational, venal, infantile, and prone to automatism. In that respect, farce is a natural companion of satire. Farce is, in fact, not merely a genre but a highly flexible dramatic mode that often occurs in combination with other forms, including romantic comedy. Farce is considered to be a theatre tradition. As far as ridiculous, far-fetched situations, quick and witty Repartee , and broad physical humor are concerned, farce is widely employed in TV Sitcom s, in silent film comedy, and in Screwball Comedy . See also Bedroom Farce . Japan has a centuries-old tradition of farce plays called Kyogen . These plays are performed as comic relief during the long, serious Noh plays. REPRESENTATIVE EXAMPLES: A CHRONOLOGY Britain
France
Germany
Russia
United States
Performing teams who have appeared in farces:
Actors and actresses who have appeared in farces
IMDB list of film and television farces |
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