Humour, drama education, and drama curriculum in Ireland

ABSTRACT Humour is discussed in this article in relation to drama education in Ireland. Humour is identified as a potentially important feature of children’s engagement in drama, and this is explained by an exploration of humour theory. Examples of how humour positively affects the experience of drama participation are also considered. The discussion is in the context of drama curriculum review in the Republic of Ireland and the article identifies an over emphasis on teacher-centric, talk based conventions which has emerged in practice. A more artistic experience which enables children to communicate naturally, and thus humorously, is proposed.