Theatre exam 3 questions with correct
answers
Farce - ANS ✔✔comedy that is over the top, and ridiculous. Broad comedy. Not very thought
provoking but meant to produce big laughs.
When did Farce start? - ANS ✔✔Traced back to Ancient Rome, and maintained its popularity
through Medieval Times, through Elizabeth England. Achieved its greatest popularity in the
Restoration period in England and in 17th and 18th century in France. It's still popular today.
Plots - ANS ✔✔The plots are very complicated and reliant on confusion of both the characters
and audience to drive the comedy. Example: The Importance of Being Earnest
Exaggerated Stock Characters - ANS ✔✔stock characters are repeated character types (or
stereotypes). These characters are broadly drawn (think outside-in, presentational acting). and
often over the top
Mistaken Identities - ANS ✔✔often the comedy comes from mistaken identities. The
assumption that one character is another can lead to inappropriate responses and behaviors
Ex: The Importance of Being Earnest
Word play and innuendo - ANS ✔✔so much of the comedy comes from punning. Innuendo is
essentially the same thing, but where one is of sexual nature.
Physical comedy/slapstick - ANS ✔✔another aspect of farce is slapstick or physical comedy. The
term slapstick comes from the Renaissance era in Italy when Commedia became popular.
, The slapstick itself - ANS ✔✔Composed of 2 sticks bound with a leather strap. when 1 actor
pretended to hit another with the stick, the 2 slots would hit together making a slapping sound
Ex: Rowan Atkinson's Mr. Bean
History through example (Farce): Ancient Rome - ANS ✔✔Plautus' "The Braggart Warrior"
History through example (Farce): Medieval Europe (15-1400 AD) - ANS ✔✔The Wakefield plays
"Noah" and "The Second Shepard's Play"
History through example (Farce): The Italian Renaissance (14th-16th century) - ANS
✔✔Commedia Dell'Arte
History through example (Farce): The English Renaissance (16th century) - ANS
✔✔Shakespeare's "The Comedy of Errors", "The Taming of the Shrew" and "The Merry Wives of
Windsor"
History through example (Farce): The French Neo-Classical Period (17th century) - ANS
✔✔Moliere's "Tartuffe"
History through example (Farce): The English Restoration (17th century) - ANS ✔✔Wycherley's
"The County Wife"
History through example (Farce): 19th century - ANS ✔✔Wilde's "The Importance of Being
Earnest"
History through example (Farce): 20th century - ANS ✔✔"Noises off" and every sitcom
television
Kabuki: Background - ANS ✔✔One of japan's traditional theatrical arts
answers
Farce - ANS ✔✔comedy that is over the top, and ridiculous. Broad comedy. Not very thought
provoking but meant to produce big laughs.
When did Farce start? - ANS ✔✔Traced back to Ancient Rome, and maintained its popularity
through Medieval Times, through Elizabeth England. Achieved its greatest popularity in the
Restoration period in England and in 17th and 18th century in France. It's still popular today.
Plots - ANS ✔✔The plots are very complicated and reliant on confusion of both the characters
and audience to drive the comedy. Example: The Importance of Being Earnest
Exaggerated Stock Characters - ANS ✔✔stock characters are repeated character types (or
stereotypes). These characters are broadly drawn (think outside-in, presentational acting). and
often over the top
Mistaken Identities - ANS ✔✔often the comedy comes from mistaken identities. The
assumption that one character is another can lead to inappropriate responses and behaviors
Ex: The Importance of Being Earnest
Word play and innuendo - ANS ✔✔so much of the comedy comes from punning. Innuendo is
essentially the same thing, but where one is of sexual nature.
Physical comedy/slapstick - ANS ✔✔another aspect of farce is slapstick or physical comedy. The
term slapstick comes from the Renaissance era in Italy when Commedia became popular.
, The slapstick itself - ANS ✔✔Composed of 2 sticks bound with a leather strap. when 1 actor
pretended to hit another with the stick, the 2 slots would hit together making a slapping sound
Ex: Rowan Atkinson's Mr. Bean
History through example (Farce): Ancient Rome - ANS ✔✔Plautus' "The Braggart Warrior"
History through example (Farce): Medieval Europe (15-1400 AD) - ANS ✔✔The Wakefield plays
"Noah" and "The Second Shepard's Play"
History through example (Farce): The Italian Renaissance (14th-16th century) - ANS
✔✔Commedia Dell'Arte
History through example (Farce): The English Renaissance (16th century) - ANS
✔✔Shakespeare's "The Comedy of Errors", "The Taming of the Shrew" and "The Merry Wives of
Windsor"
History through example (Farce): The French Neo-Classical Period (17th century) - ANS
✔✔Moliere's "Tartuffe"
History through example (Farce): The English Restoration (17th century) - ANS ✔✔Wycherley's
"The County Wife"
History through example (Farce): 19th century - ANS ✔✔Wilde's "The Importance of Being
Earnest"
History through example (Farce): 20th century - ANS ✔✔"Noises off" and every sitcom
television
Kabuki: Background - ANS ✔✔One of japan's traditional theatrical arts
