Script guru to offer comedy tips

Veteran screenwriting guru Robert McKee is coming to London to give lessons on comedy writing.

More than 45,000 people have taken his classes over the past 15 years - although critics say his formulaic approach stifles creativity.

He'll be giving three day-long sessions next month - one each on comedy, thriller and horror writing.

The £125 comedy session on May 23, will be illustrated by clips and a scene-by-scene analysis of A Fish Called Wanda. McKee says star John Cleese, pictured, has taken his seminars three times.

Topics covered include "the comic character", "the comedy genre - three grand conventions" and "trivializing the exalted/exalting the trivial".

To register for the 11-hour session, visit: www.mckeestory.com

Published: 26 Apr 2004