Selecting a genre or performance style - AQAComedy and tragedy
There are many genres and styles that can be explored in the initial stages of a devised piece to develop and steer it. It is vital that the chosen genre or style will work for the target audience.
The comedyA light-hearted drama that is played for laughs.genreThe type of story being told. uses humour as a driving force, with characters and storylines designed to make the audience laugh. Some elements of comedy include:
surprise
repetition
opposite expectations
misunderstanding
ridicule
It is important to consider what the target audienceThe collection of people that the finished work is aimed at. find funny. Visual humour can be very effective, ie the way a character moves or stands and the gestureA movement of the head, hand or other body part to express meaning. or mannerismA habit or quirk that is particular to a character. they employ.
Tragedy
tragedyA type of drama in which characters undergo suffering or calamity and which usually ends with a death. A sad or catastrophic event causing suffering or death. almost always demonstrates some sort of human suffering by the central character, with the intention of invoking catharsisThe purging of emotions, usually pity and fear, at the end of a tragedy. within an audience. Tragic pieces are mostly serious and include an unhappy final scene, eg the downfall or death of a character. It is important to consider whether this would be appropriate for the target audience.
