VIDEOS

An Introduction to Comedy is the first lesson in our classroom-ready series designed to help secondary school students explore the world of comedy. In this lesson, we introduce a variety of comedic styles—from slapstick and farce to improvisation and more—giving students a foundation to understand how humour works across different forms.

Our first warm up is the wholly unique game ‘Mischief Maker’! This is the idea of combining your three favourite games, so at any point someone can yell, “Mischief Maker… Splat/Kings of the Jungle etc,” and you immediately start a different game. The idea of this is to keep everyone playing and engaged whilst sustaining energy.

Mischief don’t play knockout games in the rehearsal room and prefer ones that keep everyone involved.

Our second workshop is INTRODUCTION TO ENSEMBLE where you will collaborate with others, working together towards a common goal. You will practice anticipating small changes with fellow participants and build stronger working relationships.

In our third workshop you will learn the choreography behind slapstick techniques, and creatively experiment and play with these techniques through a series of exercises, responding to the audiences’ reactions. You will enhance creative skills and deepen your understanding of the comedy genre, particularly physical comedy.

Slapstick is a style of comedy that uses exaggerated physical actions, mishaps, and visual gags to create humour.

Mischief performers show you and your students how to safely, and believably, perform a comedy trip. One of the essential slapstick moves.

The video contains a visual example of the concept of ‘finding objects with your feet’ as demonstrated by a member of Mischief. Another of the essential slapstick moves.

Mischief performers show you and your students how to safely, and believably, walk into a wall (for comedic effect!). Once you’ve seen how its done, its time to practice for yourself!

Next Mischief members will show you and your students how to safely, and believably, walk into a door. Get your students to practice this skill and add their own spin on a classic slapstick move

In our fourth workshop INTRODUCTION TO CLOWNING you will find new ways of playing (and failing) in front of an audience, and will explore the three 3 different types of clown.

Mischief performers demonstrate the next exercise I’M NOT WAVING. Work in a a group and explore mime, physicalising an idea to make people laugh.

In our fifth workshop you will experiment and explore with the style of farce through working together, communicating and cooperating in pairs and groups. This workshop will give you an enhanced understanding of comedic styles and how you can use these when performing.

In our sixth and final workshop you will understand the concept of improvisation and how it can be applied to unlocking creativity and supporting team work.

You will be asked:

1. What is improvising?
2. What are the two main rules of improving?