Commedia dellArte Italian Comedy of the 1600 s
- Slides: 23
Commedia dell’Arte Italian Comedy of the 1600 s
background • Beginning during the Renaissance and lasting into the eighteenth century, travelling troupes performed the commedia dell' arte, the Italian comedy; • The company's ten or more actors each developed a specific type of comic character; • Female parts were originally played by men; • Plays were improvised; • Before going on stage actors would work out a basic plot and improvise in performance; • The comedy was often rude and bawdy • The comedy would be centred around comedy scenarios or lazzi
staging • Staging was whatever the company could rent; • For lighting – sun if outside, candles and oil lamps if indoors; • Set design varied from none to painted sets according to location • Actor / audience space also varied according to location
The Characteristics of Commedia • non-naturalistic performance style - comedy • usually improvised by small troupes of actors – performed in the street • performance skills used: spoken word mime dance acrobatics • music visual • includes audience as part of the performance • permanent characters • can make use of face masks
commedia performance style • big movement • bold movement • slow movement • clock the audience • exaggerated actions • exaggerated reactions • slapstick • predictable plots and events
Arlecchino (Harlequin) • an acrobat and a wit • childlike and amorous • servant to Pantalone, Il Dotorre, Il Capitano • a simpleton of lowest status • quick movements but slow in thought • in love with Columbina. . . • . . . but fancies any passing woman • aware of the audience
Arlecchino (Harlequin) appearance: • always ready to spring into action • clumsy yet graceful • ragged yet sleek • low forehead with wart • small round eyes • wears belt, low on hips with pouch • a diamond pattern of reds, greens, yellows and browns, with red tights and large pockets to pull things from
Arlecchino (Harlequin) movement: • always moving; • knees bent as though he could spring into action • elbows are bent placed on belt • a great curve to the back with his chest pushed out • walks in a zig-zag to 3 -4 time, a step to left then centre, a step to the right then centre
Columbina • principle maid to Isabella; • the only sane thinking character in Commedia; • daughter of Brighella; • can be very flirty with the men, and yet runs away from their advances; • she’s independent and can look after herself; • good at her job and careful with money; • she captivates men.
Columbina appearance: • better dressed than male servants as a lady’s maid; • neckline of bodice very low and frilly • skirts fall below the knee • wears mob cap and apron • unmasked but eyes wide and well made up; • graceful and feminine; • usually carries a basket;
Pantalone • • caricature of the Venetian merchant rich – loves money mean and miserly with a young wife or an adventurous daughter top of pecking order eyes up the women – but never successful old but tries to appear younger thinks everything can be bought or sold • wears money pouch hanging from belt in front of genitals
Pantalone appearance: • tall and skinny (like a stork) • well endowed • long, hooked nose • white beard and moustache • bent over from age • wore red breeches, a red vest, and a black ankle-length coat
Pantalone movement: • feet together, toes apart • knees well bent and facing apart creating a focus on the crutch • head leaning upward •
Il Dottorre • high in status old man; • a doctor (probably not trained); • constantly drones on; • makes it look like he knows what he’s talking about by throwing in big words; • enjoys drinking; • loves eating; • always shown as a ‘quack’ (false) in the end.
Il Dottorre appearance: • very fat; • wears a long jacket and black cloak down to his ankles; • white collar; • black breeches • black shoes; • skull cap on his head.
Il Capitano • Self appointed to his rank of Captain, and has been stripped of his position due to cowardice or incompetence. • He thinks he is handsome and brave, but in reality he is neither.
Il Capitano • Big, exaggerated movement to represent his self confidence. • Slashing of his sword (although he never actually uses it to fight with!) • Open gestures and big arm movements to command attention. • Walks with big strides.
Isabella • Isabella is an aristocrat. • Isabella is one of The Lovers. • She is in love with Flavio but also in love with herself. • Can become jealous very easily.
Isabella • Moves elegantly and gracefully. • Adopts balletic poses. • Always very proud. • Teeters on her toes and swishes her skirt.
B Brighella • Master of Servants. • Proud of his position. • Easily distracted by food (an obsession!) • Low hygiene.
BBrighella’s Philosophy Why run when you can walk? Why walk when you can stand? Why stand when you can sit? Why sit when you can lie?
B Brighella • Wobbles when he walks. • He leads all movement with his stomach. • If ‘on duty’ his energy level is up, but is far lazier when food and drink are involved!
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