Marcel and The Art of Laughter

See it if You want to see a masterclass in physical comedy then get a very funny lesson about how it’s done. Delightful and clever. Talented players.

Don't see it if You don’t like slapstick or physical comedy or would prefer to see a play or musical. This is neither.

See it if Marcel: aging performer tries to pass an existential test about nothing. Art of L: how loss of dignity underlies humor. Wonderful stuff.

Don't see it if You are not interested in physical humor plus some underlying pathos and meaning.

See it if you enjoy a show of comedy that is intelligent as well. The second act very different from first, a master class about the art of comedy

Don't see it if you don't enjoy comedy of any kind.

Also This is a state of the art theater and very accessible from all parts of Manhattan by subway.... Read more Read less

See it if You like to laugh and want to see two Master craftsmen show you how it is done. One is an amazing clown act, the other is a master class.

Don't see it if You don't like to laugh, don't like shows that don't necessarily have an understandable ending, or don't enjoy the breaking of the 4th wall

See it if mastery of the audience laugh mechanism, gentle human comedy, classic mime & clowning can hold your interest for 2 hours

Don't see it if physical comedy. non-verbal storytelling, European clowns, class on why we laugh, are not appealing to you

See it if You enjoy physical comedy by two experts and a second half master class that is great fun.

Don't see it if Physical comedy is a turnoff

Also The two performers channel Chaplin, Keaton, Stooges, and contemporary comics, while they are not mimes, they don't have to say much at all.... Read more Read less

See it if you like slapstick comedy.

Don't see it if You prefer comedy with a story line.

See it if You like physical comedy and clowning as a theatrical art by Two wonderful performers.

Don't see it if You want a regular stage play. This is totally different. But if you wanna laugh hard and loud give it a chance.

See it if 2 masters at point of perfection in comedy with ingenuity and timing that has the audience roaring with laughter

Don't see it if Slapstick is not your thing

See it if You're up for two short comic pieces:a short silent physical comedy, and a lecture/demo of how & why human beings are hard-wired to laugh.

Don't see it if You're expecting plot or dialogue; both are minimal.

Also It's a good bet our cave-dwelling ancestors loved pratfalls and had their own versions of Who's On First?, and it's refreshing to see that tradition carried through on such a high scale here. Physical humor is basic, and when performed well seamless and inevitable. So it is here, although the style is distinctly European. Jos Houben and Marcello Magni are terrific: Magni's timing is impeccable, his physical condition remarkable; Houben's lecture showcases a lifetime of observation.... Read more Read less

See it if masterly comedic performances of mime, sight gags and the like appeal. Tip: come in a good, generous mood! 2d act best at drawing you in.

Don't see it if you're expecting plot or dialogue of any kind; need trappings of set design & costumes to gaze at; physical comedy & ensuing laughs vex you.

Also Both actors utterly charming & quietly wow you with talent, individually & as team. I had obstructed view at mezz right wing & in irritable mood; thankfully, 2d act was center stage & easily charmed me to my senses. Definitely worth experiencing originality of this production!... Read more Read less

See it if you like agile physical comedy (i.e.Bill Irwin, David Shiner); sweet & poignant performance pieces on the theme of aging

Don't see it if you want an actual play (this is a performance) & have no interest in the 'Ted-talk"-like 2nd act that explains the discipline of this show

Also My first visit to this wonderful, modern theater with great sight lines... Read more Read less

See it if you would like to stretch your appreciation for physical comedy, learn a little about how it works technically, and laugh a lot as well!

Don't see it if you dislike physical comedy and have no desire to change.

See it if You like mime and slapstick comedy it is literally a masterclass

Don't see it if You crave intellectual depth and thought provoking drama. This is a “how to“performance on stagecraft

See it if you'd like an imaginative twist on classic European clowning, in a duet and a somewhat related lecture-demo style solo

Don't see it if physical comedy or silent clowning is not your thing; the masterful technique is the attraction here, not novel humor

See it if you enjoy warm exhibitions of exquisite clowning skills from a pair of middle-aged male experts, seen mostly in solo turns.

Don't see it if you hate mime, want to be dazzled by production elements, a story, or skills you haven’t seen before.

See it if the first act is near perfect

Don't see it if the second act--although enjoyable--felt like a class that i didn't sign up for

See it if you delight in truly splendid physical comedy and want to experience a true masterclass in the art of humor

Don't see it if you're already tired of the usual gags & don't want to watch a man impersonate cheese for the purpose of expounding on an intellectual point

See it if You are a fan of Clowning. You want to Laugh like crazy while also getting a little existential.

Don't see it if You do not like comedies. You need strong plots to interest you.

See it if you enjoy really well-done pantomime. Marcel, the first one-act is clever and delightful.

Don't see it if Second one-act, The Art of Laughter, is a primer on how to laugh and how to get audiences to laugh. It's engaging and enjoyable.

See it if you like physical comedy/clowning or buffoonery (Act 1). You like master classes, specifically on what makes people laugh (Act 2).

Don't see it if you don't like the things mentioned above. Very possible you will love one act & dislike the other, they are so different.

Also It's two completely different shows in one, each 1-hour long. I'm not surprised to read reviews by people who loved one act & found the other put them to sleep. My score here is an average across both acts.

ACT 1
For me, I found the 1st act quite dull overall. The end was more poignant than expected though, with a few really lovely visuals (incl. the use of the newspaper & moon). Spoiler alert on that below, if you dare read it!

ACT 2
I really enjoyed the 2nd act & laughed out loud quite often, esp during examples w/the audience volunteer. I even tried not to laugh at the end to see if I could, but couldn't help it! I do enjoy master classes in real life though, and that might have made a difference.

**SPOILER ALERT**
Maybe it was because I was distracted that night, but I somehow didn't realize till near the end of Act 1 that the entire "test" being played out was an analogy for life's end. That analogy was quite touching when I finally realized it.... Read more Read less

See it if You love physical comedy elevated above slapstick and done with intelligence

Don't see it if You only like theater with a linear plot line or really dislike physical comedy

See it if Enjoy seeing (Act 1) and learning about (Act 2) clowning/physical humor.

Don't see it if You're expecting hilarity -- it's funny but not more. Both acts, esp 2nd, could use some editing.

See it if you like physical comedy, and/or are interested in laughter theory, and/or are an open-minded theatergoer.

Don't see it if you're looking for something traditional with a plot. This is a unique evening in the theatre.

See it if you appreciate effortless physical acting and flawless professionalism. Houben and Magni are magnificent.

Don't see it if you have no interest in acting techniques, movement, commedia dell'arte, the relationship of bodies in space.