Farce vs. Burlesque — What's the Difference?

A ludicrous, empty show; a mockery.

A literary or dramatic work that seeks to ridicule by means of grotesque exaggeration or comic imitation.

A comedic play using exaggerated characters and situations.

To cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works.

To stuff; to fill with mingled ingredients.

A theatrical entertainment of parody and exaggeration.

Farce is a comedy that seeks to entertain the audience through situations that are highly exaggerated, extravagant, ridiculous, absurd, and improbable. Farce is also characterized by heavy use of physical humor; the use of deliberate absurdity or nonsense; satire, parody, and mockery of real-life situations, people, events, and interactions; unlikely and humorous instances of miscommunication; ludicrous, improbable, and exaggerated characters; and broadly stylized performances.

An absurd or comically exaggerated imitation of something, especially in a literary or dramatic work.

A light dramatic work in which highly improbable plot situations, exaggerated characters, and often slapstick elements are used for humorous effect.

A burlesque is a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects. The word derives from the Italian burlesco, which, in turn, is derived from the Italian burla – a joke, ridicule or mockery.Burlesque overlaps in meaning with caricature, parody and travesty, and, in its theatrical sense, with extravaganza, as presented during the Victorian era.

The branch of literature constituting such works.

A literary or dramatic work that makes fun of something, often by means of outlandish exaggeration.

The broad or spirited humor characteristic of such works.

A ludicrous or mocking imitation; a travesty

A ludicrous, empty show; a mockery

A variety show characterized by broad ribald comedy, dancing, and striptease.

A seasoned stuffing, as for roasted turkey.

To imitate mockingly or humorously

To pad (a speech, for example) with jokes or witticisms.

To use the methods or techniques of burlesque.

To stuff, as for roasting.

(dated) Parodical; parodic

(uncountable) A style of humor marked by broad improbabilities with little regard to regularity or method.

A derisive art form that mocks by imitation; a parody.

(countable) A motion picture or play featuring this style of humor.

A variety adult entertainment show, usually including titillation such as striptease, most common from the 1880s to the 1930s.

(uncountable) A situation abounding with ludicrous incidents.

A ludicrous imitation; a caricature; a travesty; a gross perversion.

(uncountable) A ridiculous or empty show.

To make a burlesque parody of.

(culinary) Forcemeat, stuffing.

To ridicule, or to make ludicrous by grotesque representation in action or in language.

(transitive) To stuff with forcemeat or other food items.

Tending to excite laughter or contempt by extravagant images, or by a contrast between the subject and the manner of treating it, as when a trifling subject is treated with mock gravity; jocular; ironical.

To fill full; to stuff.

Ludicrous representation; exaggerated parody; grotesque satire.

To make fat.

An ironical or satirical composition intended to excite laughter, or to ridicule anything.

To swell out; to render pompous.

A ludicrous imitation; a caricature; a travesty; a gross perversion.

To stuff with forcemeat; hence, to fill with mingled ingredients; to fill full; to stuff.

To ridicule, or to make ludicrous by grotesque representation in action or in language.

To render fat.

To employ burlesque.

To swell out; to render pompous.

A theatrical entertainment of broad and earthy humor; consists of comic skits and short turns (and sometimes striptease)

Stuffing, or mixture of viands, like that used on dressing a fowl; forcemeat.

A composition that imitates somebody's style in a humorous way

A low style of comedy; a dramatic composition marked by low humor, generally written with little regard to regularity or method, and abounding with ludicrous incidents and expressions.

Make a parody of;

Ridiculous or empty show; as, a mere farce.

Relating to or characteristic of a burlesque;

A comedy characterized by broad satire and improbable situations

A variety show typically including striptease.

Mixture of ground raw chicken and mushrooms with pistachios and truffles and onions and parsley and lots of butter and bound with eggs

Humor derived from ridiculous or improbable events.

A light, humorous work of fiction.

Not necessarily; farces focus more on situation and less on setting.

Yes, many consider burlesque an art form that involves satire, dance, and costume design.

A farce is a comedy that relies heavily on improbable situations and physical humor.

Burlesque is a theatrical genre known for parody, broad comedy, and sometimes striptease.

Yes, the primary purpose of a farce is to provoke laughter.

Most cultures have some form of farcical entertainment, although it may vary in style.

Farce is strictly a comedic genre, while burlesque can include comedy, satire, and performance art.

Often, yes. Audience engagement is a hallmark of many burlesque performances.

No, striptease may be a part, but burlesque also includes comedy, music, and satire.

Yes, elements of farce can be incorporated into a burlesque performance.

Timing is critical in farce; the rapid succession of events contributes to the comedy.

Some sitcoms can be considered farcical if they involve exaggerated situations and physical humor.

Yes, many comedies in film are designed as farces.

It has transitioned from a literary parody to a theatrical performance often associated with variety shows.

Costumes are often extravagant and revealing, contributing to the theatricality of the performance.