The Physical Comedy Handbook

By Davis Rider Robinson

Although there are numerous books that examine physical comedy from a historic or aesthetic perspective, few provide guidance in how to do it. So where can actors and teachers go for instruction? To The Physical Comedy Handbook.

The Physical Comedy Handbook is a one-of-a-kind resource for actors, teachers, and directors interested in physical comedyfrom slapstick pratfalls to the theater of the absurd. Davis Robinson believes that the basic physical skills of comedy can be taught to anyone. His twenty years of practical experienceincluding workshops with Jacques LeCoq, Tony Montanaro, Bill Irwin, Avner Eisenberg, Mark Morris, and Ronlin Foreman--have taught him so. Robinson shares what he has learned in this book, providing a thorough explanation of a range of techniques for developing comic timing, writing original material, and working with scripts. The book includes numerous hands-on exercises designed to help anyone, regardless of experience, develop their sense of play.

Acting students will learn how to sharpen their physical skills. Teachers will learn how to structure and guide their students work. Actors will explore a range of comic styles. Directors will discover a number of tools for bringing comedy to life.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0325001146
• ISBN13: 9780325001142
• Release Date: April 1999
• Publisher: Heinemann Drama
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.49 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.1" x 9.0"
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Awsome

I'm a Jr. in High School, and am in a Play Production group, every year we do a One Act Show, full of one acts, I wrote a one act all about demenstrating physical comedy, this book is Awsome because I have learned so much, and the exercises are great, they really work, I really want every single actor/comedian to get this book, because then this would be a funnier world...

YES!!!!

Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful! Time and time again I have found the exercises in this book useful as a student of physical comedy. The book is well set out starting performers off with solo work and taking them all the way up to ensemble work, building the performers' physical vocabulary along the way. The book gives easy to follow, useful descriptions of technique. I can only hope that later editions will include step-by-step illustrations for some of the techniques. I highly recommend this book, and yes it is something you'll refer to again and again.

A true master

Davis Robinson is one of the most influential figures in my performing arts career. I studied with him at Emerson until his last year before moving on to Bowdoin College. I assistant directed with him as well as taking his movement and physical comedy courses. His knowledge and foresight are inspirational in this book and the excercises he shares are well-explained (here and in real life.) I think of him often and smile because his teachings are dead-on, direct, and completely originated from his extensive background in movement and theatre. He is the type of mentor who kicks you in the butt when you absolutely need it and empathetic when its appropriate. Buy this book and you will get a small glimpse of his artistic and technical prowess.

Davis "Genius" Robinson

I have studied with Davis Robinson for a Year now at Emerson College, and I wouldn't trade this year of training for anything. He is one of the most brilliant acting teachers I have ever encountered, and I have had the pleasure of reading this book before it's publication date. I truly believe that this should become a standard for all acting classes and teachers for years to come. His brilliance and down to earth approach to this handbook is really something that any actor/teacher who takes their studies and work seriously NEEDS to learn from. I for one am going to keep this book in my back pocket for years to come. Davis Robinson is the Misner of our time, and his book is the perfect way to ring in the Millenium! Davis Robinson has changed my life, and if you read this book it will change yours as well! In fact, Yesterday I saw The Physical Comedy class performance here at Emerson, Davis' last class before he ventures off to Bowdain College, and it was probably one of the funniest things I have ever watched on stage. This book is an imperative item on anyones bookshelp who is serious about the performing arts and the technique behind it all! Buy it now. Read it Often!