Commedia dell'arte

successfully created a Commedia Dell’Arte piece through the utilisation of conventions of commedia and the dramatic elements to effectively produce dramatic meaning. ’20 lazzi’s in a hat’ “showcases numerous masked stock characters, hilarious burle and 20 of Commedia’s famous traditional lazzi consisting of verbal asides on current political, social and literary topics, pratfalls and acrobatics (Homunculus Theatre company, n.d.).” Commedia Dell’Arte is a form of comedic theatre that originated in Italy in the 16th century (Wilson, 2010). This form of theatre was first established as a street performance in the Italian renaissance and served as a comic release to the people in the market places. “This colourful and extremely theatrical art form is based on the interaction of traditional stock characters in improvised scenarios that facilitate a comic plot to arrive at a humorous climax (Shane Arts, n.d.).” Homunculus theatre company created an excellent example of Commedia Dell’Arte through the manipulation of the elements of Commedia Dell’Arte and drama in order to perform a truly successful performance. Homunculus skilfully used a one-dimensional storyline in order to create humour and keep the audience engaged. Usually in a typical storyline there is often growth, change and internal conflict carried out by a single character. However, a one-dimensional storyline allows…

Unit 32: Developing Physical Theatre Physical Theatre There are a few practices/practioners who contributed to the roots of physical theatre. Greek theatre Greek theatre spanned from 600BC-600AD and it began with festivals honouring Greek Gods. Plays were only allowed to be presented at the Dionysia festival. At early Greek festivals actors, directors and dramatists were the same person however, after a while only three actors were allowed to perform in the plays. Then they later decided to…

as a woman. Another example is the engagement between Smeraldina and Truffaldino, who must ask their masters for consent to marry, and due to the confusion as to who Truffaldino ‘belongs’ too, the couple was close to being banned from marrying each other. The status of women is shown by many characters throughout the performance but in the next two paragraphs, I would like to talk about the performances of Gabriella Sandler, as Beatrice/Federigo, and Jose Bordas, as Dr. Lomardi. The…

Commedia dell’Arte of the 17th century was popular in Italy. According to Winifred Smith’s The Commedia dell’Arte, the major characteristics of Commedia dell’Arte was “improvised dialog on an outline plot, set speeches, and masked clowns.” According to La Commedia Inglese, by Talia Felix, the literature of which they used was a theme of which told the outline of the story and the actors had to act according to the given theme. There were no playwrights for Commedia dell'Arte, the performers were…

"What the film, the comic strip, the TV situation comedy, and burlesque (in the American sense) have been to the twentieth century, the Commedia dell'Arte was to the Renaissance" (Oreglia). Commedia dell'arte which translates to "comedy of arts," was the first professional form of theatrical art. This distinctive form of art first begun in Italy during the early fifteenth century, and thrived with popularity throughout Europe, during the seventeenth century. Commedia dell'arte was termed the…

On the surface, it is slapstick or abstract. The show’s content is heavily influenced by US current events, and has the ability to leave international viewers cold, rightfully so. Similarly, commedia dell’arte troupes would engulf their repertoire with political on goings in their surrounding society, portraying societies’ opinions, disregarding offense from those they were satirizing. The only difference was that commedia dell’arte troupes had the ability to travel from one city to the next,…

Commedia dell’arte, a form of theatre characterised and classified by different masked “types”. began in Italy in the 16th century and was responsible for the advent of actresses and improvised performances based on sketches or scenarios. Masks play a key part within world theatre traditions, particularly non-western theatre forms. They also continue to be a vital force within contemporary theatre, and their usage takes a variety of forms. Moreover it’s one of the essential component for…

Commedia dell’Arte: The Foundation of Modern Comedy While the exact origins of Commedia dell’Arte are unknown, it is one of the most influential forms of theatre. It has been a foundation for comedic theatre since around 1545. This unique form of comedy has influenced writers and performers all over the world. Similarities to Commedia dell’Arte can be found in the writings of William Shakespeare, in the acting choices of some of the most famous comedians and even in modern day television. It has…

Costumes and Masks in Commedia Dell’Arte: Their True Purpose Costumes and masks are pivotal point in commedia dell’arte. The costumes and masks allow the audience members to become fully immersed into the production of the performance. Every detail of the performance is important and the costuming symbolises the attempt to fully enthrall each member into believing that the costume looked and dressed a certain way. The meaning of the costumes and masks is seen as being an extension of the…

Commedia Dell'Arte, also known as comedy of artists is an Italian theatrical form that flourished throughout Europe from the 16th through the 18th century (Katritzky). Each commedia dell’arte company had a stock of scenarios and soliloquies, witty exchanges such as their lazzi, and about a dozen actors. The impact of the use of improvisation by travelling troupes inspired the tremendous use of grotesque poses and physicality. The use or lack of masks was very important on stock characters such…