Exploring genre: Dramatic comedy

Learning objectives
1. What is comedy as a dramatic genre?
    -Looking at production photos.
2. Comparing comic extracts as examples of the genre.
3. Understand the script as a playscript.

Please hand in your homework today.
  
Activity 1
We will look at a number of photographs of comedies on stage. You will need:

Comedy stage photos
Notes on comedy as a genre and types of comedy

For each photo, discuss what you can tell about comedy as a dramatic genre

Feedback your ideas to the group.

Activity 2
Comparing extracts from dramatic comedies

1. Read one extract and discuss what it might suggest about the play including elements of comedy as a genre and themes.

2. Read the second extract and compare it to the first. Do you notice any connections?

3.Compare a third extract.

What do you notice about:

-subject matter
-common themes
-Typical plot conventions and structures
-Typical characters
-comic motifs and patterns
-genres and types of comedy

Feedback to the group

Activity 3
Reading the script: Act 2 scene 1
We will read this scene in the light of our discussions today.
What elements of dramatic comedy do you notice in this scene?

Plenary
What have you learned about dramatic comedy as a genre?

Homework
Research types of comedy such as 'Burlesque'.

Image: Scene from A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare.