But antic comedy was largely confined to the first act, and emotional spaciousness prevailed later on.

In this debut collection of stories, Mr. Johnson uses his keen sense of the absurd and his magpie's feel for language to create some wonderfully antic black comedy.

Possibly it is, but the play moves with such speed and spirit that it comes across as a delectably antic romantic comedy.

There is more to "The Grass Harp" than the antic comedy that provides its chaos and conflict.

Mr. Fo is known as a performer schooled in clowning, and so physicality is crucial to his antic comedy.

Mr. Hutchinson was interested in turning the seven days into an antic comedy.

The reader, who hopes that such questions might make for some antic comedy tinged with metaphysical speculation, ends up being sorely disappointed.

Steve Martin and John Candy, a mature cast by John Hughes's standards, star in his antic comedy.

For Mr. Wilder, "Murder in a Small Town" was a chance to take on a new role after years of antic physical comedy.

Seeming warmer and more comfortable in this antic comedy than she has before, Ms. Goldberg is helped not only by the right co-star but also by the right role.