Comedy sketch writing

City Lit

Course

In London

£ 59 VAT inc.

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Description

  • Type

    Course

  • Location

    London

  • Start date

    Different dates available

Discover what makes a great comedy sketch and how to create and present your own writing. Explore the structure, dynamic and devices at work in classic comedy before applying new techniques to your work. Study classic sketches from Monty Python, Mitchell and Webb, Fry and Laurie, The Catherine Tate Show, Not the Nine O’Clock News and more.

The Tutor
Kate Smurthwaite writes for BBC3’s BAFTA-winning The Revolution Will Be Televised and the UK's leading political satire show Have I Got News For You. She also writes and tours an annual solo political comedy show and has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for the past 12 years. She is often a guest on news and debate shows including Question Time, BBC News and Channel 4 News, and has been has written fr publications including The Guardian and The Independent.

City Lit reserves the right to change course tutors from those advertised in this outline. In line with our refund policy we are unable to grant a refund on the grounds of a change of tutor.

Facilities

Location

Start date

London
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Keeley Street, Covent Garden, WC2B 4BA

Start date

Different dates availableEnrolment now open

About this course

- Describe the classic comedy sketch structure
- Use that structure in your own sketch writing
- Identify a range of comic devices for sketch writing
- Describe strategies for ending sketches.

No compulsory purchases. Students may like to buy books, scripts, videos or recordings to further explore in their own time. Guidance will be given on worthwhile purchases for those interested.

Talks, discussion, pair work, group exercises and games, plus watching and listening to illustrative clips.

All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit.

For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.

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Subjects

  • Writing

Course programme

- We will analyse the structure and dynamic of the classic comedy sketch and look at a range of comic devices used in comedy sketches
- We will watch and listen to classic sketches from TV and radio including Monty Python, Fry & Laurie, Not the Nine O'Clock News, Catherine Tate, Mitchell and Webb and more
- We will use games and exercises to stimulate ideas and then create our own comedy sketches.

At the end of the course you will have the skills to write a professionally structured and presented comedy sketch.

Additional information

All students are invited to join us at City Lit Talks Back, our monthly performance night for City Lit writers. Everyone is welcome, admission is free and there's no need to book in advance. Students are also encouraged to submit to Between the Lines, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and Twitter. General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Student Centre and Library on Monday to Friday from 12:00 – 19:00. See the course guide for term dates and further details

See related categories

Comedy sketch writing

£ 59 VAT inc.

The best Theatre courses

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