Snuff Puppets: Black Comedy #2

Further to yesterday's post on the genre of Black Comedy, a little bit of controversy has arisen today.

A Herald Sun newspaper article reports Snuff Puppets will soon be performing their Twin Towers Show in Melbourne.

A chronicle of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Centre, the show that many will no doubt find offensive, is nevertheless an excellent example of Black Humour (post script: after having just seen the film World Trade Center, perhaps 'brutal' example, may be closer to the mark).

At the very heart of Black Comedy is the notion that the majority of its audience will find the method in which sensitive subject matter is tackled, as inappropriate.

Black Humour is not meant to be pretty. It is often grotesque and its aim is to mock things we sometimes regard as sacred.

NIDA

In the past few days I travelled to Sydney to attend the Drama Australia annual conference. Over 200 Drama educators from across the country met for three days to share their experiences. This week I will be blogging a few bits and pieces about the conference, but for now, some photos of NIDA, the conference venue. The National Institute of Dramatic Art is every actor's dream; the ultimate acting course in Australia. So, as a drama teacher who had never been to NIDA before, you could say I was like a child in a candy store and snap-happy!

Justin Cash outside NIDA

NIDA's fantastic theatre

rehearsal room

NIDA exports Mel Gibson and Cate Blanchett

NIDA foyer

costume designs on a corridor wall

more costume designs

a few more...

NIDA from Anzac Parade

some of this year's company

people registering in the NIDA foyer

Black Comedy

Black comedy is otherwise known as black humour and possibly first appeared in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s in American literature. It is a dark comedy (hence black) and finds great humour in what most people regard as inappropriate subject matter. Black comedy mocks serious topics such as death and religion and makes fun out of various organised, logical aspects of our everyday existence. It is often grotesque and morbid.

Black Comedy Links