Farce

In theatre, a farce is a comedy that aims at entertaining the audience through situations that are highly exaggerated, extravagant, and thus improbable.^[1] Farces are often highly incomprehensible plot-wise (due to the many plot twists and random events that occur), but viewers are encouraged not to try to follow the plot in order to avoid becoming confused and overwhelmed. Farce is also characterized by physical humor, the use of deliberate absurdity or nonsense, and broadly stylized performances. Farces have been written for the stage and film. Furthermore, a farce is also often set in one particular location, where all events occur.

Japan has a centuries-old tradition of farce plays called Kyōgen. These plays are performed as comic relief during the long, serious Noh plays.

Chronology

Italy

Dario Fo: Morte accidentale di un anarchico also known as Accidental Death of an Anarchist was first played on December 5, 1970 in Varese, Italy

Poland

Aleksander Fredro: Zemsta,^[2] 1834
Gabriela Zapolska: The Morality of Mrs. Dulska,^[3] 1906
Sławomir Mrożek: Tango, 1964 (translation: Grove Press, New York, 1968);^[4] Emigranci (The Émigrés), 1974

Russia

Nikolai Gogol The Government Inspector (also translated as The Inspector General)
Anton Chekhov A Marriage Proposal The Cherry Orchard and The Bear
Mikhail Bulgakov The Master and Margarita

Spain

United States

Film

101 Dalmatians (1996)
The Bank Dick (1940)
Clue (1985)
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969)
Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (1999)
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Freaky Friday (1976)
Good Neighbor Sam (1964)
The Hangover (2009)
Herbie Rides Again (1974)
Home Alone (1990)
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)
Lend Me a Tenor (1989)
The Love Bug (1968)
The Mating Season (1951)
Million Dollar Baby (1941)
Million Dollar Mystery (1987)
Monkey Business (1931)
Never Give a Sucker an Even Break (1941)
No Deposit, No Return (1976)
Now You See Him, Now You Don't (1972)
Oscar (1991)
The Pink Panther (1963)
Problem Child (1990)
Rat Race (2001)
The Shaggy Dog (1959)
What's Up, Doc? (1972)

Television

3rd Rock from the Sun (1996–2001)
Arrested Development (2003–2006, 2013-present)
Curb Your Enthusiasm (1999–present)
Frasier (1993–2004)
I Love Lucy (1951–1957)
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005–present)
Modern Family (2009–present)
Police Squad! (1982)
The Suite Life of Zack & Cody (2005–2008)
Three's Company (1977–1984)
The Three Stooges (1930–1975)

Canada

Royal Canadian Air Farce (1970–present)
This Hour Has 22 Minutes (1993–present)

Animated

American Dad! (2005–present)
Archer (2008–present)
Chowder (2007–2010)
The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy (2003–2008)
The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack (2008–2010)
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! (1969–1978)
South Park (1997–present)

Theatre

Richard Bean: One Man, Two Guvnors (2011)
Abe Burrows: Cactus Flower (1965)
Marc Camoletti: Don't Dress for Dinner (1991)
Christopher Durang: Beyond Therapy (1981)
Joseph Kesselring: Arsenic and Old Lace (1941)
Ken Ludwig: Leading Ladies (2004)
David Mamet: Romance (2005)
Terrence McNally: The Ritz (1975)
Larry Shue: The Nerd (1981) / The Foreigner (1983)
Neil Simon: Rumors (1988)
Stephen Sondheim: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, book by Larry Gelbart (1962)
Mark Twain: Is He Dead? (1898)

References

^ http://www.wordsmyth.net/?ent=farce
^ European Authors 1000–1900. The H. W. Wilson Company, Bronx, 2000. ISBN 0-8242-0013-6.
^ Teresa Murjas (2007). "Zapolska, Gabriela: The Morality of Mrs. Dulska". The University of Chicago Press Books. Retrieved 2007-11-26.
^ August Grodzicki, "Bardzo polska tragikomedia." Życie Warszawy nr 5; 07-01-1976

External links

[1] ttp://www.wordsmyth.net/?ent=farce

[EA-2] European Authors 1000–1900. The H. W. Wilson Company, Bronx, 2000. ISBN 0-8242-0013-6.

[UoCP-3] Teresa Murjas (2007). "Zapolska, Gabriela: The Morality of Mrs. Dulska". The University of Chicago Press Books. Retrieved 2007-11-26.

[e-teatr.pl-4] August Grodzicki, "Bardzo polska tragikomedia." Życie Warszawy nr 5; 07-01-1976

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