---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A comedy is just a tragedy interrupted, I…"
description: "\"A comedy is just a tragedy interrupted, I once said. Do you finish with the kiss or when she opens her eyes to tell him she loves him and sees blonde h..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fc/alan-ayckbourn-33541_blonde_a-comedy-is-just-a-tragedy-interrupted-i_51889.jpg"
---

#  A comedy is just a tragedy interrupted, I once said. Do…

![“A comedy is just a tragedy interrupted, I once said. Do you finish with the kiss or when she opens her eyes to tell him she loves him and sees blonde hairs on his collar?” quote by Alan Ayckbourn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fc/alan-ayckbourn-33541_blonde_a-comedy-is-just-a-tragedy-interrupted-i_51889.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fc/alan-ayckbourn-33541_blonde_a-comedy-is-just-a-tragedy-interrupted-i_51889.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fc/alan-ayckbourn-33541_blonde_a-comedy-is-just-a-tragedy-interrupted-i_51889.jpg)

> “A comedy is just a tragedy interrupted, I once said. Do you finish with the kiss or when she opens her eyes to tell him she loves him and sees blonde hairs on his collar?”

[Alan Ayckbourn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-ayckbourn/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Comedy arises from tragedy's pause, revealing irony when hope resurfaces.

**In simple terms:** Tragedy paused becomes comedy.

Key Takeaway

Humor thrives on unexpected relief.

Themes

irony hope human connection contrast

Mood

playful reflective

Type

observational philosophical

When to use this quote

- stage play climax
- romantic resolution
- character revelation

Key Concepts

narrative structure emotional timing

Practical Applications

- scriptwriting
- theatrical direction

Questions to Reflect On

- How does a sudden shift alter audience perception?
- What role does timing play in turning sorrow into humor?

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Blonde hair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blonde-hair/) [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Hair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hair/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Kiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kiss/) [Kissing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kissing/) [Tragedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tragedy/)

## Related quotes

> [I was once almost forced off the stage at a large chain bookstore that shall remain nameless, because she introduced me as Lemony Snicket,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-handler/i-was-once-almost-forced-off-the-stage-at-a-large-chain-bookstore/)

[Daniel Handler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-handler/)

> [“The way I see it,” she went on, “our friendship, and our working relationship, were solid foundations we built over time. Now you’re here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-kauffman/the-way-i-see-it-she-went-on-our-friendship-and-our-working/)

[Donna Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-kauffman/)

> [Happy New Years Eve! I want you to kiss me at 11:59 and not finish that kiss until 12:01. I'd have a perfect ending…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/happy-new-years-eve-i-want-you-to-kiss-me-at-11-59-and-not-finish/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Too bad Guy interrupted," I said as we snuck around the rear of the building. "Otherwise, I could have just walked you down here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/too-bad-guy-interrupted-i-said-as-we-snuck-around-the-rear-of-the/)

[Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/)

> [ You came back fighting and furious at me. You told me you'd been looking for mermaids, and I interrupted you. \[...\] I said that… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/you-came-back-fighting-and-furious-at-me-you-told-me-you-d-been/)

[Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/)

> [Hanson will be associated with 'MMMBop' and long blonde hair in the same way the Beatles are associated with mop tops and suits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-hanson/hanson-will-be-associated-with-mmmbop-and-long-blonde-hair-in-the/)

[Isaac Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-hanson/)

> [I'm an African woman, I suppose these thoughts torture me more than they do black American people, because it's like watching my own children…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kola-boof/i-m-an-african-woman-i-suppose-these-thoughts-torture-me-more-than/)

[Kola Boof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kola-boof/)

> [When I was young I had this blonde haircut that was shaved on one side with a rat tail and tram lines in it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kemp-muhl/when-i-was-young-i-had-this-blonde-haircut-that-was-shaved-on-one/)

[Kemp Muhl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kemp-muhl/)

> [“The girls seemed unconcerned and went about their days, each as lovely in their own way as the flowers they tended. Sorrel's black hair…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-herrick/the-girls-seemed-unconcerned-and-went-about-their-days-each-as-lovely/)

[Ellen Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-herrick/)

> [“Let me guess. Dark hair, brown eyes, great abs, white teeth, Abercrombie &amp; Fitch.” “Close,” I say. “Light brown hair, correct on the eyes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-hoover/let-me-guess-dark-hair-brown-eyes-great-abs-white-teeth-abercrombie/)

[Colleen Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-hoover/)

> [We've got characters in the UK like Boris Johnson, who's kind of like a proto Trump in many ways even down to the crazy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-brooker/we-ve-got-characters-in-the-uk-like-boris-johnson-who-s-kind-of-like/)

[Charlie Brooker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-brooker/)

> [I paint German artists whom I admire. I paint their pictures, their work as painters, and their portraits too. But oddly enough, each of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-baselitz/i-paint-german-artists-whom-i-admire-i-paint-their-pictures-their/)

[Georg Baselitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-baselitz/)

> [“She pulled her blonde hair back into a high ponytail, which somehow drew even more attention to her chest. "I don't mean the right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cora-carmack/she-pulled-her-blonde-hair-back-into-a-high-ponytail-which-somehow/)

[Cora Carmack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cora-carmack/)

> [“Missing: A teenaged girl with lanky, blonde hair and a sunburst tattoo on her cheek. The holographic posters, brighter than day itself, lit up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-l-bernstein/missing-a-teenaged-girl-with-lanky-blonde-hair-and-a-sunburst-tattoo/)

Amy L. Bernstein

> [You know, if I tell the press that I like long blonde hair, the next day there will be girls with long hair wigs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-lau/you-know-if-i-tell-the-press-that-i-like-long-blonde-hair-the-next/)

[Andy Lau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-lau/)

## More by Alan Ayckbourn

> [He really is terribly heavy going. Like running up hill in roller skates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-ayckbourn/he-really-is-terribly-heavy-going-like-running-up-hill-in-roller/)

[Alan Ayckbourn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-ayckbourn/)

> [There is a school of thought that believes that sleep is for the night. You appear to be out to disprove them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-ayckbourn/there-is-a-school-of-thought-that-believes-that-sleep-is-for-the/)

[Alan Ayckbourn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-ayckbourn/)

> [Salad, I can't bear salad. It grows while you're eating it, you know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-ayckbourn/salad-i-can-t-bear-salad-it-grows-while-you-re-eating-it-you-know/)

[Alan Ayckbourn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-ayckbourn/)

> [Cats names are more for human benefit. They give one a certain degree more confidence that the animal belongs to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-ayckbourn/cats-names-are-more-for-human-benefit-they-give-one-a-certain-degree/)

[Alan Ayckbourn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-ayckbourn/)

> [Plays by Alan Ayckbourn have been attracting larger audiences in the regional theatres than those of Shakespeare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-ayckbourn/plays-by-alan-ayckbourn-have-been-attracting-larger-audiences-in-the/)

[Alan Ayckbourn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-ayckbourn/)

> [A gentleman ... sleeps at his work. That's what work's for. Why do you think they have the SILENCE notices in the library? So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-ayckbourn/a-gentleman-sleeps-at-his-work-that-s-what-work-s-for-why-do-you/)

[Alan Ayckbourn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-ayckbourn/)

> [I think of a plot, I think of an idea, and then I wonder, How can I get that onto the stage? . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-ayckbourn/i-think-of-a-plot-i-think-of-an-idea-and-then-i-wonder-how-can-i-get/)

[Alan Ayckbourn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-ayckbourn/)

> [There are very few people on top of life, and the rest of us don't like them very much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-ayckbourn/there-are-very-few-people-on-top-of-life-and-the-rest-of-us-don-t/)

[Alan Ayckbourn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-ayckbourn/)

> [The darker the subject, the more light you must try to shed on the matter. And vice versa.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-ayckbourn/the-darker-the-subject-the-more-light-you-must-try-to-shed-on-the/)

[Alan Ayckbourn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-ayckbourn/)

> [If you are flattering a woman, it pays to be a little more subtle. You don't have to bother with men, they believe any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-ayckbourn/if-you-are-flattering-a-woman-it-pays-to-be-a-little-more-subtle-you/)

[Alan Ayckbourn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-ayckbourn/)

> [What I find interesting is how close you can run the laughter along the seam of seriousness, and occasionally cross it, so that half…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-ayckbourn/what-i-find-interesting-is-how-close-you-can-run-the-laughter-along/)

[Alan Ayckbourn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-ayckbourn/)

> [As a writer one is allowed to have conversations with oneself. What is considered sane in writers is made for the rest of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-ayckbourn/as-a-writer-one-is-allowed-to-have-conversations-with-oneself-what-is/)

[Alan Ayckbourn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-ayckbourn/)

> [Few women care to be laughed at and men not at all, except for large sums of money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-ayckbourn/few-women-care-to-be-laughed-at-and-men-not-at-all-except-for-large/)

[Alan Ayckbourn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-ayckbourn/)

[Explore all 14 Alan Ayckbourn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-ayckbourn/)

## More Blonde quotes

> [Being blonde, for me, means never having to say: 'I'll have the honey-striped half-head of highlights for £200,' to a bored colourist in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-johnson/being-blonde-for-me-means-never-having-to-say-i-ll-have-the-honey/)

[Rachel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-johnson/)

> [I sound New York. I sound East Coast much more than a blonde person from L.A.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kavner/i-sound-new-york-i-sound-east-coast-much-more-than-a-blonde-person/)

[Julie Kavner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kavner/)

> [“I don’t mean to interrupt your gossip free-for-all, but do you know if there’s a non-GMO or organic section in this grocery store? This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meghan-march/i-don-t-mean-to-interrupt-your-gossip-free-for-all-but-do-you-know-if/)

[Meghan March](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meghan-march/)

> [You know, if I tell the press that I like long blonde hair, the next day there will be girls with long hair wigs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-lau/you-know-if-i-tell-the-press-that-i-like-long-blonde-hair-the-next/)

[Andy Lau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-lau/)

> [My hair got lighter, and I gradually went blonde. I liked it. Had more fun. But my image of myself in my head is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kudrow/my-hair-got-lighter-and-i-gradually-went-blonde-i-liked-it-had-more/)

[Lisa Kudrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kudrow/)

> [My baby boo&lt;3](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-baby-boo-3/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“How do you express a skinny blonde werewolf and a former toad in a cake?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-a-reeves/how-do-you-express-a-skinny-blonde-werewolf-and-a-former-toad-in-a/)

[Elizabeth A. Reeves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-a-reeves/)

> [Whether we think of Disney's blonde beauty and her pumpkin carriage or Marissa Meyer's recent recasting of 'Cinderella' as a cyborg in the young…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-rutkoski/whether-we-think-of-disney-s-blonde-beauty-and-her-pumpkin-carriage/)

[Marie Rutkoski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-rutkoski/)

> [It is possible that blondes also prefer gentleman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mamie-van-doren/it-is-possible-that-blondes-also-prefer-gentleman/)

[Mamie Van Doren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mamie-van-doren/)

> [I have always liked the contrast between being blonde and having dark features.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-ora/i-have-always-liked-the-contrast-between-being-blonde-and-having-dark/)

[Rita Ora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-ora/)

> [It was a blonde. A blonde to make a bishop kick a hole in a stained-glass window.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-chandler/it-was-a-blonde-a-blonde-to-make-a-bishop-kick-a-hole-in-a-stained/)

[Raymond Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-chandler/)

> [In my room I'd barely closed my eyes when the blonde from the movie house came along and sang her whole song of sorrow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-ferdinand-celine/in-my-room-i-d-barely-closed-my-eyes-when-the-blonde-from-the-movie/)

[Louis-Ferdinand Celine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-ferdinand-celine/)

> [People think it is all about country music, and I know a lot of country music has come out of there, but like Blonde…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elvis-costello/people-think-it-is-all-about-country-music-and-i-know-a-lot-of/)

[Elvis Costello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elvis-costello/)

> [A tall blonde entered the room, wearing a yellow sash that marked her as advocate. Two men followed her, carrying papers. She was lean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/a-tall-blonde-entered-the-room-wearing-a-yellow-sash-that-marked-her/)

[Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/)

> [“Yes, I’ve seen that ad. She’s a real beauty.” “Her name is Kelli Ivarsson, and she is even more impressive in person, I assure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-nolan/yes-i-ve-seen-that-ad-she-s-a-real-beauty-her-name-is-kelli-ivarsson/)

[Mark Nolan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-nolan/)

Browse all 591 Blonde quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "A comedy is just a tragedy interrupted, I once said. Do you finish with the kiss or when she opens her eyes to tell him she loves him and sees blonde hairs on his collar?",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Alan Ayckbourn"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-ayckbourn/a-comedy-is-just-a-tragedy-interrupted-i-once-said-do-you-finish-with/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Blonde"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-ayckbourn/a-comedy-is-just-a-tragedy-interrupted-i-once-said-do-you-finish-with/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fc/alan-ayckbourn-33541_blonde_a-comedy-is-just-a-tragedy-interrupted-i_51889.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fc/alan-ayckbourn-33541_blonde_a-comedy-is-just-a-tragedy-interrupted-i_51889.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1fc/alan-ayckbourn-33541_blonde_a-comedy-is-just-a-tragedy-interrupted-i_51889.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“A comedy is just a tragedy interrupted, I once said. Do you finish with the kiss or when she opens her eyes…” — Alan Ayckbourn",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Alan Ayckbourn",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-ayckbourn/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "A comedy is just a tragedy...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-ayckbourn/a-comedy-is-just-a-tragedy-interrupted-i-once-said-do-you-finish-with/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-ayckbourn/a-comedy-is-just-a-tragedy-interrupted-i-once-said-do-you-finish-with/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
