Meaning: The quote "Farce is tragedy played at a thousand revolutions per minute" by John Mortimer, an English barrister, dramatist, screenwriter, and author, provides an insightful perspective on the relationship between comedy and tragedy in dramatic storytelling. In this quote, Mortimer suggests that farce, a form of comedy characterized by exaggerated and improbable situations, is essentially a rapid and intense version of tragedy, a serious and sorrowful form of drama.

Mortimer's comparison of farce to tragedy highlights the fundamental similarities between the two genres, despite their apparent differences in tone and subject matter. Both farce and tragedy often involve heightened emotions, absurd situations, and larger-than-life characters. However, while tragedy focuses on the profound and often devastating aspects of the human experience, farce approaches similar themes with a comedic lens, using exaggeration and absurdity to provoke laughter and entertainment.

By describing farce as "tragedy played at a thousand revolutions per minute," Mortimer emphasizes the frenetic and exaggerated nature of farcical comedy. This characterization suggests that farce takes the fundamental elements of tragedy—such as conflict, misunderstandings, and human flaws—and amplifies them to an extreme degree, creating a whirlwind of comedic chaos and absurdity. In this way, Mortimer's quote captures the essence of farce as a high-energy, rapid-fire form of storytelling that delivers humor through its accelerated interpretation of tragic elements.

Furthermore, Mortimer's insight into the relationship between farce and tragedy speaks to the enduring appeal of both genres in the realm of dramatic arts. While tragedy delves into the depths of human suffering and explores profound themes of loss, fate, and morality, farce offers a cathartic and lighthearted approach to these same themes, providing audiences with a reprieve from the weighty emotions associated with tragedy. By presenting tragedy as the foundation upon which farce is constructed, Mortimer underscores the interconnectedness of these seemingly disparate forms of storytelling and the ways in which they both reflect and illuminate the human experience.

In the context of theatrical performance, Mortimer's quote also highlights the skill and precision required to successfully execute farce on stage. Just as tragedy demands careful pacing, emotional depth, and nuanced performances, farce relies on rapid timing, physical comedy, and the ability to sustain a breakneck pace of humor. The comparison to "a thousand revolutions per minute" underscores the intense energy and rapid-fire delivery that characterize the best farcical performances, as actors and directors work to maintain the comedic momentum and keep audiences engaged in the whirlwind of absurdity unfolding before them.

Ultimately, John Mortimer's quote offers a thought-provoking perspective on the interplay between tragedy and farce, shedding light on the ways in which comedy and drama intersect and inform each other within the realm of storytelling. By likening farce to a heightened and accelerated version of tragedy, Mortimer invites audiences and creators alike to consider the underlying connections between these two genres and to appreciate the unique contributions that each makes to the rich tapestry of dramatic expression.