Actors Quote by Antony Sher
“Why is an actor's unintentional giggling called a 'corpse'? It seems to me quite the opposite. It proves that he's very much alive, and can still tell how silly this all is: him dressed up as someone else speaking words written by a third party.”
About This Quote
Source Film: Shakespeare in Love, 1998
In acting, a sudden laugh breaks the illusion, revealing the performer’s humanity and the absurdity of pretending.
In simple terms: Unintentional laughter shows the actor is alive and aware.
Embrace mistakes as signs of authenticity.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- stage performance
- rehearsals
- live TV
- improvisation
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does spontaneity affect audience connection?
- When should actors suppress involuntary reactions?
Such moments can disrupt narrative flow and audience immersion.