Kumamoto University:
Comparative Culture

Rick Lavin

British Comedy:Rowan Atkinson

Following our look at the Monty Python's Flying Circus series of the late 60s and early 70s, we move on to the foremost British comic artist of the 80s, Rowan Atkinson.

Rowan Atkinson

Most people would agree that Rowan Atkinson is a comic genius. His talent at silent comedy is arguably equal to that of Charlie Chaplin, while, given good material, his verbal delivery is second to none. He is able to raise laughs by a simple movement of the tongue, or by exaggerated pronunciation of a single word.

In the lecture, we'll look at some sketches that show his speaking skills, and others that highlight his miming talents.

Themes

Since, like the Monty Python team, Rowan Atkinson is British, there are many similarities. However, since society has changed somewhat since the early 70s, there are some differences in emphases, with Monty Python having a stronger awareness of class issues. Note how it is also more acceptable now to make jokes about religion. It may be useful to consider similarities and differences under the following headings:

• racial humour
• puns
• religious humour

You may also like to read through the script of one of the sketches we'll be viewing:

Hello, it's nice to see you all here.
Now, as the more perceptive of you have probably realised by now,
this is Hell
and I am the Devil --
Good Evening --
but you can call me Toby if you like.
We try to keep things informal here,
as well as infernal --
that's just a little joke of mine. I tell it every time.

Now, you're all here for
eternity -- Ooh! -- which I hardly need tell you is a heck of a long time
so you'll all get to know each other pretty well by the end.

But for now,
I'm going to have to split you up into groups.
Will you stop screaming? Thank you.
Now, murderers, over here please. Thank you.
Looters and pillagers, over here.
Thieves, if you could join them.
And lawyers, you're in that lot.

Fornicators, if you could step forward.
My God, there are a lot of you.
Could I split you up into adulterers and the rest.
Male adulterers, 
if you could form a line in front of that small guillotine in the corner there.

The French, are you here?
If you'd just like to come down here with the Germans.
I'm sure you'll have plenty to talk about.

Atheists, atheists, over here, please.
You must be feeling a right bunch of nitwits.
And finally, Christians.
Ah yes, I'm sorry, I'm afraid the Jews were right.

Optional task

Summarize the autobiographical (personal) information on Rowan Atkinson available on The Rowan Atkinson Page.

Questions to consider

How funny was Rowan Atkinson?

How different is he from Monty Python? Which was funnier for you?

What do you need to know about British society to enjoy the show?

Have you ever seen Mr. Bean? Which do you like better, Mr. Bean or Rowan Atkinson's older one-man shows?