Funny Business: An Introduction to Comedy With Royalty-Free Plays and Sketches

By Marsh Cassady

For big laughs, comedy relies on exaggeration, incongruity, automatism, character inconsistency, surprise, and derision. Finally, here's a book that defines and demonstrates each of these devices with twenty-two short sketches and one-act plays. This unique overview of high and low comedy defines all comedy genres: absurdism, tragicomedy, farce, and melodrama. A discussion precedes each type of comedy illustrated, explaining the comic devices used. The reader will find many insights along the way about how to write and perform each comedy style successfully. The wide variety of scripted comedy material in this book makes it ideal for those who are teaching, practicing their acting, or rehearsing for actual performances. All characterizations are appropriate for student actors in their teens or twenties. Another fine, unique text from Marsh Cassady, this is a wonderful resource for all theatrical libraries.

(336 pages, 51/2 x 81/2, paperback)

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1566080371
• ISBN13: 9781566080378
• Release Date: July 1997
• Publisher: Meriwether Publishing
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Excellent reference book

Marsh Cassady has really nailed all of the forms of comedy in a concise, fun and easy to read way. It's difficult to explain comedy without making it unfunny. Cassady successfully engages the reader with scenes that illustrate how irony, incongruity, absurdity, and other classic methods of tickling our funny bones, work. I originally thought that Funny Business would be a good gift for a graduating senior but soon wanted it for my own reference. I highly recommend Funny Business.