Specialised books on musical humor are rare, and this one is an incisive addition, concentrating mainly on the theatre. It analyses live performances and researches unusual source material., especially of the great comic opera and burlesque. The cult of musical farces and the social background are observed where the auhtor's sense of humor is clearly at home, invoking memorable periods and styles in Paris, London, Vienna and Berlin. Elements of burlesque and parody might be found anywhere in present-day entertainment, but not often with original use of fine music. George Colerick has sought out important exceptions: notably the cult movie 'Cabaret', about 1930's Berlin; an Oscar Wilde send-up by Ken Russell; and a sophisticated Sondheim parody-musical. Quotes: "- amusing and authoritative." - Ned Sherrin. " - gives persuasive reasons for what we lack today, the staging of many quality musicals which create laughter. Without becoming too technical, the author shows how composers of intinsically funny music achieve their effects. An informative, diverting book for layman and musician alike." - Vilem Tausky, CBE

ジョージ・コールリックは本作で、喜歌劇やバーレスクが持つ「音楽的ユーモア」の真髄を鮮明に描き出しました。欧州諸都市の文化的背景を紐解き、音楽そのものが笑いを誘発する知的な構造を解明する筆致は圧巻です。失われつつある舞台芸術の精華への熱き挽歌として、読む者の知的好奇心を激しく揺さぶります。 映画『キャバレー』等の映像作品と、その源泉にある舞台精神を接続している点も見逃せません。映像の刹那的な輝きを、著者は緻密な分析で理論的に裏打ちし、深い知的理解へと昇華させています。書物と映像が互いの魅力を補完し合うことで生まれる相乗効果は、読者を重層的な芸術の迷宮へと誘う、まさに究極のガイドと言えるでしょう。