7.4 Farce

Farce is a comedic genre that thrives on exaggeration and absurdity. It uses improbable situations, mistaken identities, and physical humor to create chaos and hilarity on stage. The fast-paced action and over-the-top characters keep audiences laughing.

While primarily focused on entertainment, farce can also serve as a vehicle for social commentary. By satirizing institutions and authority figures, it can challenge the status quo and provide a cathartic release for audiences through shared laughter.

Definition of farce

• Farce is a type of comedy that relies on exaggerated, improbable situations and physical humor to entertain audiences
• It often features mistaken identities, slapstick comedy, and fast-paced action to create a sense of chaos and hilarity

Origins in medieval theater

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• Farce has its roots in medieval religious plays, particularly in France, where it emerged as a secular form of comedy
• Early farces were often performed as interludes between the acts of more serious religious dramas (mystery plays)
• These short, humorous sketches gradually evolved into a distinct genre, focusing on satirizing contemporary society and its institutions

Key characteristics of farce

• Farce is characterized by its reliance on physical comedy, exaggerated characters, and improbable situations
• It often features a convoluted plot with multiple storylines that intersect and create confusion
• Farce aims to provoke laughter through its fast-paced, energetic performances and its willingness to push the boundaries of social norms

Plot elements in farce

• Farce relies on a series of plot elements to create its signature style of comedy, which often revolves around misunderstandings and coincidences

Improbable situations

• Farces often feature highly unlikely or exaggerated situations that strain credibility
• These situations are designed to create a sense of absurdity and heighten the comedic effect
• Examples include characters hiding in improbable places (closets, under beds) or engaging in outlandish schemes

Mistaken identities

• Many farces rely on mistaken identities as a key plot device, with characters being confused for one another
• This can lead to a series of misunderstandings and complications that drive the action forward
• Mistaken identities often involve disguises, twins, or look-alikes (The Comedy of Errors)

Physical comedy and slapstick

• Farce is known for its emphasis on physical comedy, with characters engaging in exaggerated, often clumsy actions
• Slapstick humor, which involves pratfalls, acrobatics, and mock violence, is a common feature of farce
• The physicality of farce helps to create a sense of energy and chaos on stage (Noises Off)

Fast-paced action

• Farces are characterized by their rapid pace, with events unfolding quickly and characters constantly in motion
• This fast-paced action helps to maintain a sense of excitement and keeps the audience engaged
• The rapid-fire dialogue and quick entrances and exits of characters contribute to the frenetic atmosphere

Repetition for comedic effect

• Farce often relies on repetition as a comedic device, with certain phrases, actions, or situations recurring throughout the play
• This repetition can create a sense of familiarity for the audience and heighten the comedic effect
• Running gags, catchphrases, and recurring mishaps are common examples of repetition in farce (Fawlty Towers)

Character types in farce

• Farce often features a cast of exaggerated, larger-than-life characters who drive the action and contribute to the comedic chaos

Stock characters vs original creations

• Some farces rely on stock characters, such as the jealous husband, the nagging wife, or the wily servant
• These characters are instantly recognizable to audiences and can help to quickly establish the tone and style of the play
• Other farces feature more original character creations, tailored to the specific needs of the story

Exaggerated personality traits

• Farce characters are often defined by their exaggerated personality traits, which are heightened for comedic effect
• These traits can include extreme stubbornness, cowardice, vanity, or gullibility
• The exaggeration of these traits helps to create a sense of absurdity and makes the characters more memorable

Low vs high status dynamics

• Farce often explores the dynamics between characters of different social status, such as masters and servants or the wealthy and the poor
• These status differences can create opportunities for comedy, as characters attempt to navigate the social hierarchy
• The inversion of status roles is a common trope in farce, with servants outsmarting their masters or the lowly triumphing over the powerful

Contrasting character foils

• Farce often features characters who serve as foils to one another, with their contrasting personalities and goals creating conflict and comedy
• These foils can include the straight man and the fool, the optimist and the pessimist, or the schemer and the innocent
• The interplay between these contrasting characters helps to drive the plot and create comedic tension

Language in farce

• The language used in farce is a crucial element of the genre, with wordplay, misunderstandings, and verbal humor contributing to the overall comedic effect

Witty dialogue and wordplay

• Farce often features clever, fast-paced dialogue that showcases the wit and intelligence of the characters
• Puns, double entendres, and other forms of wordplay are common in farce, as characters engage in verbal sparring and one-upmanship
• The clever use of language helps to create a sense of playfulness and keeps the audience engaged

Misunderstandings and double entendres

• Misunderstandings and double entendres are staples of farce, with characters often misinterpreting each other's words or intentions
• These misunderstandings can lead to comedic confusion and help to drive the plot forward
• Double entendres, or phrases with multiple meanings, are often used to create risqué humor or to hint at taboo topics

Insults and put-downs

• Farce often features characters trading insults and put-downs, as they attempt to gain the upper hand or assert their dominance
• These insults can range from the clever and subtle to the blatant and outrageous, depending on the tone of the play
• The rapid-fire exchange of insults can create a sense of verbal acrobatics and showcase the characters' wit

Asides to the audience

• Farce sometimes employs asides, where characters break the fourth wall and address the audience directly
• These asides can be used to provide commentary on the action, reveal a character's inner thoughts, or create a sense of complicity with the audience
• Asides can also be used to create dramatic irony, as the audience becomes privy to information that the other characters do not have

Staging farce

• The staging of farce is crucial to its success, with timing, physical comedy, and set design all playing important roles in creating the desired comedic effect

Importance of timing

• Timing is essential in farce, with the precise execution of physical comedy, dialogue, and entrances and exits contributing to the overall rhythm of the play
• Directors and actors must work together to ensure that the timing of each moment is perfect, with no lag or delay that could disrupt the comedic flow
• Well-timed pauses, reactions, and double takes can help to heighten the comedic impact of key moments

Choreography of physical comedy

• The physical comedy in farce often requires careful choreography, with actors needing to execute pratfalls, acrobatics, and other physical feats with precision
• Directors may work with fight choreographers or physical comedy specialists to ensure that these moments are both safe and effective
• The choreography of physical comedy should be integrated seamlessly into the overall flow of the play, with each moment building upon the last

Set design for hiding and revealing

• Set design is an important consideration in farce, with the need for multiple entrances, exits, and hiding places to accommodate the fast-paced action
• Doors, closets, and other set pieces can be used to create opportunities for characters to hide, eavesdrop, or make surprise entrances
• The set should be designed to facilitate the rapid movement of characters and to create a sense of visual interest and complexity

Costumes to highlight characters

• Costumes can be used in farce to help define and exaggerate the personalities of the characters
• Bold colors, exaggerated styles, and visual gags can all be incorporated into the costumes to create a sense of heightened reality
• Costumes can also be used to facilitate quick changes or disguises, adding to the sense of chaos and confusion on stage

Social commentary in farce

• While farce is primarily associated with humor and entertainment, it can also serve as a vehicle for social commentary and critique

Satire of institutions and authority

• Farce often satirizes social institutions and authority figures, exposing their flaws and absurdities
• Government officials, religious leaders, and other powerful figures may be portrayed as bumbling, corrupt, or hypocritical
• By mocking these institutions, farce can serve as a form of social critique and a way to challenge the status quo

Farce as subversive critique

• Farce can be used as a subversive tool to critique social norms and expectations
• By presenting exaggerated versions of everyday situations and characters, farce can highlight the absurdities and contradictions of social conventions
• This critique can be particularly effective when aimed at issues of class, gender, or politics

Taboo topics and shock value

• Farce often deals with taboo topics or subjects that may be considered shocking or offensive
• By presenting these topics in a humorous, exaggerated way, farce can help to defuse their power and make them more approachable
• The use of shock value can also serve to grab the audience's attention and challenge their assumptions

Catharsis through laughter

• Farce can provide a form of catharsis for audiences, allowing them to laugh at their own fears, anxieties, and social pressures
• By presenting exaggerated versions of real-life situations, farce can help audiences to gain perspective on their own lives and to find humor in even the most stressful circumstances
• The communal experience of laughter can also serve to bond audiences and create a sense of shared experience

Modern examples of farce

• While farce has its roots in medieval theater, it continues to be a popular and influential genre in modern times

Farce in theater vs film/TV

• Farce has a long history in the theater, with plays like The Comedy of Errors, Noises Off, and Boeing Boeing all exemplifying the genre
• In recent years, farce has also found success in film and television, with movies like Clue and TV shows like Fawlty Towers and Arrested Development all incorporating elements of the genre
• While the medium may change, the key elements of farce – physical comedy, mistaken identities, and fast-paced action – remain constant

Adaptation of classic farces

• Many classic farces have been adapted for modern audiences, with new productions and interpretations bringing fresh perspectives to the material
• These adaptations may update the setting, language, or cultural references to make the play more accessible to contemporary audiences
• Examples include the National Theatre's 2011 production of One Man, Two Guvnors, which updated Carlo Goldoni's 18th-century play The Servant of Two Masters

Influence on sitcoms and sketch comedy

• The influence of farce can be seen in many modern sitcoms and sketch comedy shows, which often incorporate elements of physical comedy, misunderstandings, and exaggerated characters
• Shows like Seinfeld, The Office, and Saturday Night Live all owe a debt to the traditions of farce, even as they put their own spin on the genre
• The fast-paced, joke-dense style of many modern comedies can be traced back to the roots of farce

Enduring popularity of the genre

• Despite its ancient roots, farce remains a popular and enduring genre, with new productions and adaptations continuing to find success
• The universal appeal of laughter and the cathartic power of comedy help to explain the ongoing popularity of farce
• As long as there are social norms to be critiqued and absurdities to be mocked, farce will continue to have a place in the world of entertainment