The Role of Comedy in Drum Corps.... a poll and a discussion

[davla00]

I would have to vote Bridgemen. Just once, I would like to see a WC corps come out at retreat today, and have their drum majors sit down in lawn funiture. And sip Mai Tais, as the scores are being read out. (Were those real adult beverages? Probably only the drum majors know.)

Or attempt a manuever, where they tried to encircle one of the field judges with their entire corps. (I heard they actually pulled that off once....maybe it is an urban legend.)

Or call out judges by name, before the start of the show. After the drum major salute, they yelled out "O Tay xxxxxx", where xxxxxx is the name of one of the judges.

No WC corps would attempt this today. No WC corps would have the guts. Imagine trying to sell your show design, to sponsors/parents/alumni: "This year, our corps will attempt to win Finals by employing a comedy theme." All you would see is blank stares.......

Bridgemen had one heck of a drumline, routinely made finals, and always entertained the crowd. Really, what more do you need? They served as an excellent counter-balance, to other corps that took themselves very, very seriously. Too seriously. (I will not name names..... you know who you are.......)

Honestly, the activity could use Bridgemen back, or some other corps with a similar attitude. Unfortunately, it probably isn't going to happen.

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AMEN!!

[IllianaLancerContra]

Like most other things in DC I can take comedy to a certain extant. I'm more of a traditionalist but I'll enjoy a good comic relief moment once in a while.

I voted for Madison simply because their guard is humorous and very entertaining at the same time.

I haven't liked every VK show ever made but their Mystery Tour shows were very entertaining. I mean it was taken tongue in cheek but it came across great because execution was good, and we know what to expect from them.

Comedy is okay for me but it has to be done right. I thought Magic '04 was a little tacky at times. We need to keep this activity legitimate and if corps puts out a product that is humorous but poorly executed then it gives a bad image to the activity.

And to add a bit of earlier history - Bridgemen in 76, were a rock-solid executing drum corps first - then they added the humor

[Brutus]

There was scant little humor in Spartacus last year. A little hard to perform all summer. Something akin to a bus and truck tour of Macbeth.

Edited July 28, 2009 by Brutus

[bmroth1]

Oh how I miss VK's glory days!!! 92 was one of the best shows ever put on a field!