Commedia dell’arte Objectives 1.Learn the traditions, style and characters of Commedia...
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Commedia dell’a Commedia dell’a Objectives 1.Learn the traditions, style and characters of Commedia dell’arte. 2.Demonstrate our knowledge of the characters in performance. 3.Assess how effectively other have portrayed their Commedia performance
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Transcript of Commedia dell’arte Objectives 1.Learn the traditions, style and characters of Commedia...
Commedia dell’arteCommedia dell’arte
Objectives
1. Learn the traditions, style and characters of Commedia dell’arte.
2. Demonstrate our knowledge of the characters in performance.
3. Assess how effectively other have portrayed their Commedia performance
Some background Some background Originated in ItalyHas stock characters; similar to melodramaImprovisation, Masks, Comedy
Commedia dell’arte performers worked on the streets to make a living
This meant if you were not being entertaining, or portraying the character accurately, then you would not make money
What type of stage would this use?
4 types of characters in 4 types of characters in ComediaComediaOld MenServantsLoversCapitano
All characters lead with a body part and move fast/slow, direct/indirect.
PantalonePantaloneOld and Rich. Always interfering in other people’s business and chasing after young ladies/
Moves covering his groin where he always keeps his purse
Leads with his groin
Very old, cannot do much without needing to sit down or having heart pain
Il DottoreIl Dottore
His walk: Leans forward, leading with his hands gesticulating as he talks.
Head so heavy with ideas that he gets lower and lower.
‘The Doctor’ born to a rich family and very well educated, though he is actually not intelligent and though he claims to know more than everyone else, he makes simple mistakes, even in pronouncing words.
Old man, often chasing after young ladies
Arleccino (Harlequin)Arleccino (Harlequin)
Idiot, can’t handle more than 1 instruction at a time.
Poor- always hungry, always tryign to find an excuse to eat.
He is often Pantalone’s servant
Keeps low status
Walks with feet turned out
Leads with nose,
Like a pigeon
ColombinaServant
Usually smartest character in the play
Funny asides to the audience
Usually finds an excuse to outsmart Arlechinno or Cause Pantalone physical harm.
Stance- feet turned out, hand on hip. Attitude.
May pretend to be like a damsel to get her own way.
Il CapitanoIl Capitano
Walks around sticking out his chest and stomach to give off the impression of masculinity
A soldier; he loves himself and thinks he is stronger and more skilled than everyone else. But underneath the bravado is a coward.
Most likely to say; ‘I’ll fight you tomorrow’
SlapstickSlapstickRepetition
Sound effects
Exageration
Selling it to the audience
The LoversThe LoversExtremes of emotions- go from happy
to jealous to miserable to loving.
Usually children of the old men, so have same servants
Often pretty stupid (consumed fully by their love)
Lead with their arms.
Some stock commedia dell’arte Some stock commedia dell’arte stories:stories:Stock plots (groups of 3)
Lovers want to pass messages to each other through Arlechinno- but he gets confused and messes up the messages (he hasn’t eaten all day)
Pantalone sees the female lover and has a heart attack, Colombina gets Il Dettore to treat him- but the diagnosis and treatment is wrong (eg ‘that’s tennis elbow, only way to treat this is to poke him in the eye.)
