Commedia dellArte Comedy of the skills Italian Comedy

Commedia dell’Arte Comedy of the skills Italian Comedy

Italian Beginnings Renaissance began in Italy, with a rediscovery of the classics. Pageant Wagons lost their appeal, and playhouses were built from the styles of the Greek and Roman theatres.

Italian Beginnings Proscenium Arch - picture frame through which the audience viewed the scenery and play Elaborate, realistic scenery was used that reflected the visual artistry of the time.

Commedia dell’ Arte An improvisational style of theatre which began in Italy in the 16 th C. Traveling companies of professional actors performed outdoors in public squares, using simple backdrops and props.

Commedia dell’Arte Performed by traveling companies. Companies included ten actors– seven men and three women. Performed in open town squares.

Commedia dell’Arte No script, only an outline (scenario). Actors improvised dialogue and action tailoring it to the day’s audience.

The actors worked from an outline, (Scenario) improvising the dialogue and incorporating jokes and physical comedy “bits” (Lazzi). The actor always played the same character, changing the situation. An actor specialize in one “stock” character who they would play for their entire career.

Stock Characters Stock character – a character with a recognizable traits that remain the same from play to play. Characters are defined by their costume and mask/make-up. Characters are categorized “masters” “servants” “lovers”.

Lazzi – jokes, comic “bits”, gags. Each character had his or her typical lazzi that they could draw on in any situation. Examples – A pair of servants enter carrying a tall ladder, knocking into everyone as they try to set it up. Mixed-up words. A servant carries a message between the lovers but mangles the words, causing confusion.

Lazzi Pantalone has a comic “heart attack” reacting to bad news. His servants must revive him. Arlecchino tries unsuccessfully to swat an annoying fly, knocking things over, breaking things, an injuring himself in the process. Pantalone keeps scooting close to Columbina, who manages to slip out of his grasp until he finally falls on his face.

Stock Characters Masters Pantalone Il Dottore Il Capitano

Pantolone His names means “Mr. Big Pants”. A wealthy, miserly old man. Mask: a hook nose, wrinkled face, bushy eyebrows. Costume: baggy red pants

Il’Dottore Il Dottore - The Doctor -a smug, “know-it-all” professor, who really knows nothing. Mask: a round, stubby nose like a pig, chubby cheeks, bushy eyebrows. Costume: academic robes.

Il Capitano a boasting, bragging macho soldier, who tells tall tales of victory but is actually a coward underneath. Mask: a long nose, wide eyes, handlebar mustache. Costume: exaggerated military uniform with a plumed hat, along with a sword.

The Lovers provided the main plot. They were young, graceful and attractive, they wore fashionable clothes and no masks. They were slightly vain and not too bright—in love with themselves a bit too much— but they were sincere.

Innamorati The Lovers Inamorata Inamorato

Stock Characters Servants Arlecchino, Columbina Brighella Zanni

Arlecchino Nimble, acrobatic, tricky servant. Childlike, not too bright. Mask: Cat-like face, short nose Costume: Tunic and pants with multicolored diamond patches

Columbina The wise-cracking maid, usually the smartest character; flirtatious, playful, servant to the leading lady and Arlecchino’s girlfriend. Mask: Usually not Costume: Maids uniform, carries a tambourine

Brighalla The tough-guy servant, a good liar, always out for himself. Usually a shopkeeper. Mask: Green with a greedy expression Costume: White shirt, black pants, carries a dagger or slapstick.

Zanni The poorest, stupidest, and hungriest servant. Sleeps on the job, sneaks off to eat food or daydream. Cannot do what he is told very well at all. Mask Furled brow and large nose Costume: baggy white outfit.

Works Cited http: //alpha. furman. edu/~dcummins/comm edia/lovers. htm http: //imdb. com/title/photogallery http: //www. delpiano. com/carnival/html/com media. html