Upload
rosaline-donna-richardson
View
221
Download
3
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Commedia dell Arte
Commedia dell'Arte (Italian: "the comedy of art") is a form of improvisational theatre that began in Italy in the 16th century and held its popularity through the 18th century, although it is still performed today
Commedia dell Arte
Performances were unscripted, held outside, and used few props.
They were free to watch, funded by donations.
Commedia dell Arte
A troupe consisted of ten people. (Women included as actors)
Outside Italy the form was also known as "Italian Comedy".
Commedia dell Arte
Conventional plot lines were written on themes of adultery, jealousy, old age, and love.
Many of the basic plot elements can be traced back to the Roman comedies, some of which were themselves translations of lost Greek comedies of the fourth century BC.
Commedia dell Arte
Performers made use of well-rehearsed jokes and stock physical gags, known as Lazzi and , as well as, of course, on-the-spot improvised and interpolated episodes and routines, called burle (singular burla, Italian for joke), usually involving a practical joke.
Commedia dell Arte
Characters were identified by costumes, masks, and even props,
The classic, traditional plot is that the innamorati are in love and wish to be married, but one elder (vecchio) or several elders (vecchi) are preventing this from happening, leading the lovers to ask one or more zanni (eccentric servants) for help. Typically the story ends happily, with the marriage of the innamorati and forgiveness for any wrongdoings.
Commedia dell ArteStock Characters
Arlecchino or Harlequin: Clown. Acrobatic and mischievous, zanni & Servant Recognizable by the colorful diamond-
shaped patches that traditionally were part of his costume.
The part is sometimes substituted with Truffaldino, his son.
His mask has a low forehead with a wart, and sometimes wore a black stocking wound round the lower face and then up over the head.
Commedia dell ArteStock Characters
Arlecchino: is often the servant to Pantalone He is in love with Colombina, He can often have a close
relationship with the audience, The Arlecchino character also
tries to trick his masters and is always plotting and planning, but his plans never work.
Commedia dell ArteStock Characters
Brighella: either a shopkeeper or
servant. Brighella is always out for
a way to profit from any given situation.
Will cheerfully lie to save himself.
Commedia dell ArteStock Characters
Il Capitano (The Captain): Swash-buckling and bold, but
not necessarily heroic, Wears the military dress of the
day. His attire is generally foppish
and overdone. A braggart, a ladies man, and a
cavalier. He is motivated by his desire for
sex.
Commedia dell ArteStock Characters
Colombina: female counterpart of Arlecchino. Servant and zanni. Initiates the plot of the play. Clever, crafty, and untamed. Her costume often had the same
colored patches found in Arlecchino's outfit.
Commedia dell ArteStock Characters
Il Dottore - the doctor: He appears to be a learned man, but
generally that impression proves to be false.
He is older, wealthy, and a member of the vecchi.
Pedantic and miserly, he is hopelessly unsuccessful with women.
Everyone else believes what he is saying to be true but it is erroneous.
This leads into further trouble and confusion.
Commedia dell ArteStock Characters
The Innamorati- The Lovers: The innamorato and innamorata had many
different names over time ("Isabella" was a particularly popular name for the woman, as was "Flavio" for the man).
Young, righteous, and hopelessly in love with one another.
Wear the most fashionable dress of the day. Never play in mask.
Commedia dell ArteStock Characters
The Innamorati: Often seen singing, dancing,
or reciting poetry, Frequently portrayed as the
children of Dottore and Pantalone.
Madly in love but only surmount the obstacles put in the way of their happiness, at the end of the play.
Commedia dell ArteStock Characters
Pantalone : member of the vecchi. Archetypal "old miser.” Quite wealthy but very greedy. He only cares about money and
he will do anything to get it. His costume usually incorporates
a long beard and red pants.
Commedia dell ArteStock Characters
Pedrolino: also known as "Pierrot" or
"Pedro" The loyal servant. Hardworking, trustworthy,
honest and devoted to his master.
Charming and likable, he wears a loose white outfit with a neck ruff.
Tends to be the butt of the physical jokes.
Commedia dell ArteStock Characters
Pulcinella : sometimes called "Punch,” Pitiable, helpless, and often
physically disfigured. Usually has a hump, a distinct
limp, or some other obvious physical deformity.
In some portrayals he cannot speak, and expresses himself in squeaks or other strange sounds.
His personality can be foolish or sly and shrewd.
Commedia dell ArteStock Characters
Scaramuccia: also known as
Scaramouche Roguish character who
wears a black velvet mask, black trousers, a shirt and a hat.
Usually portrayed as a buffoon or boastful coward.
Commedia dell ArteStock Characters
Tartaglia: short sighted with a terrible
stutter he is one of the stock old
characters who appears in many scenarios as one of the lovers.
His social status varies; he is sometimes a bailiff, lawyer, notary or chemist.
Tartaglia wears a large felt hat, an enormous cloak, oversized boots, a long sword, a giant mustache and a cardboard nose.