Truth in Comedy: The Manual of Improvisation by Charna Halpern, Del Close, Kim Johnson Read Free Book Online

initiation that they had children.
    (In fairness, it must be noted that Miss Rivers was capable of brilliant scenic improvisation — Joan Rivers is certainly a talented, successful stand-up comic, but stand-up comedy is worlds apart from ensemble work.)
    What kind of an improviser goes for the quick joke at the expense of his partner and the scene? Usually someone who is weak, insecure, or egotistical. It is an act of desperation, done to control the scene or to try and look better. A player who chooses this road finds few players will work with him on stage, because they know they will be sacrificed for an easy joke.
    When an audience watches improvisers setting each other up with information, supporting each other's ideas, and furthering the scenes, they see true art in action.
    So far, this chapter has devoted itself to the importance of agreement and avoiding conflict. At the risk of confusion, there are ways in which an argument can be presented during an improvised scene.
    While disagreement is not interesting, the tension that conflict causes may be. The players can agree to disagree (thus turning it into a game), as long as there is agreement between the players to further the scene. For example, a boxing match is not conflict. It is a fight, but it's actually a game played under an agreed-upon set of rules. Conflict in a scene between the characters may be used, but the conflict between the players must be avoided.
    One of the finest examples of agreeing to disagree is the Monty Python "Argument Sketch," in which a man enters a room and finds another man at a desk:
    "Is this the right room for an argument?"
    "I've told you once."
    "No you haven't."
    "Yes I have."
    "When?"
    "Just now."
    "No you didn't."
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"Yes I did."
    "Didn't." "Did."
    "Didn't."
    "I'm telling you I did."
    "You did not!"
    "I'm sorry, is this a five-minute argument, or the full half-hour?"
    ... And it continues on into a hilarious argument. Obviously the scene is tightly scripted, rather than improvised on stage, but there is a clear-cut game at its core. It uses what appears to be conflict, but is actually total agreement, to forward the scene through a disagreement game.
    GAMES TO TEACH AGREEMENT
    Conflict Scenes
    One of the first principles taught to students at the Improv- Olympia is that agreement is much more interesting than conflict.
    This is done by placing the actors in situations which normally cause conflict on stage. However, they are instructed to make unusual choices, so that the expected conflict will not arise. These unlikely choices lead the scenes in interesting directions that could not have been planned.
    However, this exercise is not about conflict. It is actually about agreement, and what develops after agreement is reached.
    Conflict is merely the starting point, which leads the players to discover what the scene is about. It is the relationship between the players that makes the scene.
    Possible conflict scenes might include "The Arrest," "The Robbery," or even "The Last Seat on the Bus." One example of a conflict scene leading into an interesting relationship was "The Robbery."
    (A woman enters and finds a man in her home.)
    WOMAN: Excuse me, what are you doing in my house?
    MAN: I'm robbing you.
    WOMAN: I don't know that I would have anything that you would want.
    MAN: Well, these paintings are exquisite! I can tell they're not originals,
    but they are worth something.
    WOMAN: Thank you. I painted those.
    MAN: What? I am impressed! This is incredible work!
    WOMAN: I am so flattered — I insist you have it.
    As the relationship grows, they continue to share their expertise in the field of art, while she assists him in taking her prized possessions.
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Another example of a conflict scene was done by Adam and Rick, portraying a cop chasing a robber. Both actors were running in place, giving the illusion of an officer chasing a thief:
    COP:(Panting) Hey — I'm 50 years old and a little overweight. Can we
    stop and rest for