Clown: The Physical Comedian

Clown: The Physical Comedian is a detailed and comprehensive workbook for those interested in the art of clowning and physical theatre, including actors, directors, improvisers, stand-up comedians, circus artists, mask performers and devisers of new work.

Offering an extensive and hugely diverse compilation of tried-and-tested exercises and games, the book is for students, teachers and practitioners to aid ensemble-building, character development, devising theatre, physicalising text and vocalising movement, plus creating cabaret acts, clown routines and adding physical play to scripted scenes. It offers advice on subjects such as developing presence onstage; increasing strength, flexibility and physical expression; developing partner and trio relationships; understanding the power of the mask; and working with an audience - in particular, turning a performance into a conversation with the audience and increasing the actor's ability to connect with a crowd.

The exercises and teachings have been developed in classrooms, workshops and theatres all over the world and the book is packed with insights from the author, who has worked for over 35 years in a wide variety of venues, from intimate performance spaces to large-scale sports stadiums.

1136963178
Clown: The Physical Comedian

Clown: The Physical Comedian is a detailed and comprehensive workbook for those interested in the art of clowning and physical theatre, including actors, directors, improvisers, stand-up comedians, circus artists, mask performers and devisers of new work.

Offering an extensive and hugely diverse compilation of tried-and-tested exercises and games, the book is for students, teachers and practitioners to aid ensemble-building, character development, devising theatre, physicalising text and vocalising movement, plus creating cabaret acts, clown routines and adding physical play to scripted scenes. It offers advice on subjects such as developing presence onstage; increasing strength, flexibility and physical expression; developing partner and trio relationships; understanding the power of the mask; and working with an audience - in particular, turning a performance into a conversation with the audience and increasing the actor's ability to connect with a crowd.

The exercises and teachings have been developed in classrooms, workshops and theatres all over the world and the book is packed with insights from the author, who has worked for over 35 years in a wide variety of venues, from intimate performance spaces to large-scale sports stadiums.

36.95 In Stock
Clown: The Physical Comedian

Clown: The Physical Comedian

by Joe Dieffenbacher
Clown: The Physical Comedian

Clown: The Physical Comedian

by Joe Dieffenbacher

Paperback

$36.95 
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Overview

Clown: The Physical Comedian is a detailed and comprehensive workbook for those interested in the art of clowning and physical theatre, including actors, directors, improvisers, stand-up comedians, circus artists, mask performers and devisers of new work.

Offering an extensive and hugely diverse compilation of tried-and-tested exercises and games, the book is for students, teachers and practitioners to aid ensemble-building, character development, devising theatre, physicalising text and vocalising movement, plus creating cabaret acts, clown routines and adding physical play to scripted scenes. It offers advice on subjects such as developing presence onstage; increasing strength, flexibility and physical expression; developing partner and trio relationships; understanding the power of the mask; and working with an audience - in particular, turning a performance into a conversation with the audience and increasing the actor's ability to connect with a crowd.

The exercises and teachings have been developed in classrooms, workshops and theatres all over the world and the book is packed with insights from the author, who has worked for over 35 years in a wide variety of venues, from intimate performance spaces to large-scale sports stadiums.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781350141407
Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date: 02/11/2021
Pages: 304
Product dimensions: 6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.63(d)

About the Author

Joe Dieffenbacher is known internationally for his performance work in theatre, circus, cabaret, and street spectacle, as a maskmaker and prop designer, as a director of physical theatre, and teacher of clown, mask performance and slapstick. He spent eight years as resident faculty at the Dell'Arte School and was Physical Theatre Director for productions at Shakespeare's Globe, Regents Park Theatre and the Scottish National Opera.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations xiv

Acknowledgments xvi

Preface xviii

Introduction 1

The Search 1

The Word 2

The Look 2

The Energy 4

The Mask 5

The Fundamentals 9

Terms Used 9

Roles Played 11

Clown Essentials 12

Lesson Plans 13

Defining Clown 15

Challenges and Obstacles 19

Technique-Commitment-Tactics-Story 20

Entrances and Exits-Discovery Moments-Success and Failure 23

The Right Way 24

Failure as a Choice, Accident as an Opportunity 24

The Ever-Changing Game 25

The Director and the Clown 26

1 Hello: A Pharmacist, Helium Balloons, and a Red Nose 29

Hello! 32

Birds and Bees 33

Group Loco Motion 34

Groups and Agreements 39

The Five Commandments 42

Wait, Watch, Jump, Play 43

2 Energy: The Telepathic Renaissance Fool 47

Walk This Way 49

Chase Me, Tag Me 50

The Solo and the Ensemble 52

Chair Games 54

Races 57

Relax 59

3 The Talking Body: Silence on the Streets 63

Dance! 65

Playing With the Breath 67

Where's My Center? 68

Sculptures 71

The Body Mask 72

Visualization 74

The Five Elements 76

Looking Out 80

4 Prop Play: The Prop Whisperer 87

Prop Around 89

Prop Improv 91

Prop Me 94

Prop and Status 96

5 Curiosity: Odd Fellows 101

Space Odyssey 104

Look, See, React 105

In and Out 109

Listen 111

Backstage Butting In 113

6 Clown Solos: Catching a Salad on Your Face 119

Pass It Around 121

The Real Thing 124

The Participating Audience 128

7 Clown Duos: The Wet Towel Intervention 137

Remember Me 139

Pushers 140

Mind Leading the Blind 142

Followed 144

Match My Mood 148

The Big Wind Up 150

Surprise, Surprise 152

Embrace 154

8 Clown Trios: Boss, Negotiator, Fool 157

Notes on Playing the Boss 159

Notes on Playing the Negotiator and the Fool 160

Get Rhythm 161

Paper and Balloons 163

Thumbs 165

Follow Your Leader 166

Status Snapshots 167

Get Up 170

Top That 171

Down the Line 173

9 Clown Ensembles: Fractious Fun 181

All Together Now 182

Follow Along 184

Follow Me 186

Support Staff 188

Caretakers 191

Eh? Oh 193

Add On 195

Run, Stop, Relax 196

Revealing 198

Misfits and Master 199

Chips and Stick 201

The Ridiculous Ensemble 203

10 The Rules, the Script, the Game, the Play: Welcome to the Playroom 207

The Evolution of a Game 208

Tail, Tag, Scene 211

Scene Tricks 213

Prop Journey 215

Blindfolded Experts 217

11 The Mask of the Clown 225

Makeup, Nose, Costume 225

The Painted Face 226

The Smallest Mask 229

The Body Mask 231

12 The Skillful Clown 235

The Dexterous Fool 235

Dance 236

Music 236

Mime/Movement 236

Tumbling 237

Partner Acrobatics 237

Slapstick 237

Skills, Tricks, Feats, and Stunts 240

Presentation 240

13 Getting Serious About Your Funny 243

Begin to Begin 243

Take Action 244

Get Serious 245

Make Progress Through Play 245

Own It 245

Stay Open 246

Make It Real 246

Tune In 246

Find Ways to Connect 246

Take Notes 247

Accumulate 247

Devising for Clown and Physical Comedy 249

Nuts and Bolts 249

Narrative, Plos, Arc, Through Line 252

Ensemble Devising: Developing Group Entrées, Scenes, and Routines 257

When It All Gets Too Confusing 260

Bibliography 263

Inspirations 267

Index 275

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