Commedia Dell Arte
Transcript of Commedia Dell Arte
Commedia dell arte
The Stock Characters
The MASTERS
Who are the Masters?
Pantalone
Il Dottore
Il Capitano
Isabella
The Lovers
Pantalone
Origins – Venetian Merchant
Status – Top of the order, Pantalone has money
Costume – Black jacket, red tights,
yellow shoes
Stance – Old man’s stoop Walk – Small stepsMovement – looking around, falls on back with bad newsGesture – Hands Active/Behind Back
Characteristic – Everything can be bought
Animal – Chicken
Repertorio – Never well, news is always bad
Pantalone’s mask
Il Dottore
Origins – Carnival figureStatus – Bachelor or widower; One of the father to the loversCostume – Black academic dress
Stance – Big belly; weight on heels
Walk – Small steps in a figure eight
Movement – Static
Gesture – Needs all the space for himself
Characteristic – Knows everything about everything
Animal – Pig
Repertorio – I have a story about that..
Il Dottore’s mask
El Capitano
Origins – fake Spanish mercenary
Status – A loner; Pretends high status but loses it
Costume – Military attire
Stance – In attention or stand at ease Walk – Big steps – maximum spaceMovement – Straight back, big stridesGesture – Extravagant and sustained
Characteristic- Political - if the Turks invade, he
becomes a Turk-Total coward-Danger to himself-Thinks he is good looking and God’s
giftAnimal – PeacockRepertorio – I’d crush you like an onion between my teeth
El Capitano’s mask
The Lovers
Name: ImmoratiPhysical: young, attractive, latest fashionMask: No maskWalk: ballet/based on dance masterGesture: AiryCharacteristic: Can’t solve own problems
Isabella
Origins – from a 16th century
Status – Prima Donna – daughter of Pantalone
Costume – Well dressed
Speech – refined
Characteristics -Flirtatious, provocative and stubborn
The Servants
Who are the Servants?
The servants are made up of the ZANNI
Working class and bottom of the rung but even they have a pecking order
They include : Arlecchino; Brighella; Colombina; Perdolino; PulcinellaTartagalia;
Arlecchino
Origins: Zanni – servant from the country. Means “little devil.”Status: Usually servant to Pantalone. Relationships: In love with Columbina or IsabellaCostume: Peasant costume – patches
Props: Slapstick
Stance: Bent ready to jump, hands in belt
Walk: Zanni walk, more ballet/3time step
Movement: Mask first, then body
Gesture: Slow brain – fast movement/hands
Characteristics: never the loser – not maliciousAnimal: cat/monkeyAudience: Sometimes aware of themRepertorio: Actions like falling down
Arlecchino’s Mask
Brighella Origins: First zanni – “brig” means troubleStatus: Base Zanni/ Head waiterRelationship: Unscrupulous – will sell mother to make money/ never victimCostume: White with green chord
Props: dagger
Stance: first position ballet, chest forward
Walk: Zanni torso side to side, head straight
Movement: cat like panther
Characteristics: Astute, humorous, quick-witted, sarcastic
Animal: Lazy cat toying with mouse
Repertorio: Always hungry, thinks he’s cool
Brighella mask
Colombina
Status: Maid to immortia (lovers)Relationships: Loves Arlecchino and is friendly; pestered by other menCostume: maids dress
Props: basket
Stance: One knee bent - other extended
Walk: Flick of foot – zanni walk
Movements: fast and nimble
Gesture: on hips, good mimic
Characteristics: Only rational person, self-sufficient, non-negative
Animal – Doe
Audience – With them, can see what fools the rest are.
PulcinellaOrigins: Means “little chicken” Status: banker/lawyerRelationship: has a loved one/ domesticatedPhysical: humped backCostume: baggy white costume with belt
Props: crude – short slapstickStance: weight on one legWalk: small/ jerky skipMovements: slow and top heavyGesture: Broad and sparring
Characteristics: Either played stupid pretending to be clever or clever pretending to be stupid
Animal: Rooster
Audience: Direct and quarrelsome
Pulcinella mask
Pedrolino or Pierrot
Origins: developed over time
Status: bottom of pecking order
Relationship: youngest son
Physical: small
Costume: baggy white costume – don’t fit
No Mask – white face
Stance: Third position
Walk: straight lines
Movements: head moves like a chicken
Gesture: elbows up
Characteristics: Strong in the face of misery. Totally honest; always tired
Animal: Pack mule – human animal
Audience: A loner – sometimes doesn’t speak – a mute
TartagliaOrigins: Means “to stammer” Status: banker/lawyerRelationship: older man – friend of the mastersPhysical: pot bellied and completely baldCostume: green and yellow
Stance: weight on heels; belly forward
Walk: a waddle
Characteristics:A stammer – get stuck on words and has to use others
Animal: Duck