Commedia dell'arte

In the 1600’s a new type of theatre developed called commedia dell'arte.  It brought the rich and the poor together from in the palaces and into the streets.  The actors of these plays were involved in the whole process.  They wrote their scenarios, they acted them out and directed them.  In this type of theatre it was important to not only act, but to feel the emotion of the characters.  In the plays the masters and the servants are masked.  These masks are well known all over the world and still used in today’s society.  It was important that not only did the characters voice fit their mask, but their body language as well.  Each character has their own special traits and characteristics that make them who they are, and describes their social class.  Each of the characters had their own jokes, skits, comical insults, and physical stunts to keep the audiences involved and entertained with laughter.  The characters include; Pantalone, Il Dottore, Il Capitano,  Arlecchino, Brighella, Columbina, Piero, and Pulcinella.

                Pantalone was known as the high class character.  He was wealthy and always seemed to be miserable.  His mask showed a long, hooked nose with a face full of wrinkles.  He was famous for his big red pants.  Il Dottore plays the doctor and he acts like he knows everything but knows very little.  He is round with fat cheeks.  His stomach is pushed out, and he usually taps it if he gets idea or is sharing knowledge.  Il Capitano is the captain.  He acts big and bad, but underneath his guard he is a wimp.  His mask includes a long nose with wide eyes.  Sometimes it even included a long handlebar mustache.  Arlecchino is known as a tricky servant.  He is not very smart and is seen to have a child like personality.  His mask is one associated with a “trickster”; a cat like face with a short small nose.  Brighella is a well known liar.  He is Arlecchino’s older brother and is known to be very money greedy.  Last, but not least, is Columbina.  She is the maid, sometimes was Arlecchino’s girlfriend.  She was very wise and playful, and known to flirt with the characters. 

Ever since the creation of commedia dell'arte it has become a well known theatre form it has inspired many plays, and characters we see in today’s society of theatre.  Without it, I do not think that we would associate emotions with masks and body language as strong as we do today. 

(http://proteus.brown.edu/13things/7731)

As you can see in these sample mask's, you can see the characters personality. You can see the deep expression that the character must pick up with in order to present with the correct language, voice, and body language. 

(http://www.dellarte.com/show.aspx?sid=9&id=10)

 

In this picture you can really tell that the actors include a lot of body language with their mask look.  Their costumes also match their mask's and body language.

  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJEwuurzDe4&noredirect=1

In this video, it connects and shows how the actor's are trained in moving like the characters.  I think it shows a great way to put yourself in the position of thinking like the person in the mask.

 

 

 

Commedia Dell’arte. “A Study Guide for Students for the improvisational theater style “Comedy of Skills”.  Human Race theatre. n.d. 17 Feb. 2013. Web.

Felner, Mira, and Claudia Orenstein. The World of Theatre. Boston: Pearson, 2006. 120-121. Print.

May, Deborah. “The World of Commedia.” National Theatre. National Theatre.  n.d. 17 Feb. 2013. Web.

May, Deborah. “Shape.” National Theatre. National Theatre.  n.d. 17 Feb. 2013. Web.

May, Deborah. “Emotion.” National Theatre. National Theatre.  n.d. 17 Feb. 2013. Web.