Commedia dell’Arte
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Topic: Commedia dell’Arte
Posted By: casey05
Subject: Commedia dell’Arte
Date Posted: 7/15/05 at 3:05am
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Has anyone here ever done any Commedia dell'Arte performances? I recently did a workshop in it, and was curious as to whether anyone else had ever done anything in it? |
Replies:
Posted By: Topper
Date Posted: 7/15/05 at 9:35pm
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My very first professional production (we got paid!)
was with a Commedia dell'Arte troupe. There were six of us -- three men and three women. The characters where The 2 Young Lovers (Leandro & Beatrice), The 2 Clever Servants (Arlechino & Columbine), and the 2 Old Masters (Pantalone & Dottore). We updated it a bit and made Dottore a woman -- the FIRST woman doctor in all of Naples! We travelled all over the state and performed in the parks with minimal sets (banners and a trunk), colorful period costumes, and were free to the public. (Our salaries came from an arts grant and we always passed the hat -- it was traditional!) Our director culled together a scenario from old Commedia sources and the rehearsal process (and the performances) involved a lot of improvisation. I had a blast! I learned swordfighting, slapstick, tumbling and how to change costumes in the back of a van or behind a tree. I stayed with the group for two seasons. Of course I was lot younger then, but it still holds fond memories. Thanks for letting me relive them. ------------- "None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone |
Posted By: Kathy S
Date Posted: 7/16/05 at 2:29am
| I always think that The Fantasticks has elements of Commedia dell Arte...am I imagining that? |
Posted By: P&M Sales
Date Posted: 7/16/05 at 1:45pm
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If you're interested in taking this further, we have two one-act
scripts written in the CdA style. They are most definitely only for
adult audiences though! Synopsis : 'Slap And Tickle At The Pig And Whistle' A story concerning the misappropriation of private love letters belonging to Isabella and Lelio and the debauched selfish interest of Pulcinella, the publican of 'The Pig and Whistle'. The crazy antics of Arlecchino, Colombina's quick thinking paramour and the thwarted, elicit love affair between Isabella and Lelio, all add up to a rollicking, uproarious comedy that crashes like a comic avalanche to it's ultimate conclusion. Synopsis : Flumes And Fumes Madcap mayhem, debauchery, lust and mistaken identity, all this and more! The play is set in 'Floaters Leisure Centre' just prior to an inspection by the local senior councillor, Mr Pantalone. Isabella, the Centre's Manageress, is in a flap; however her dysfunctional staff are not perturbed in the slightest, add a good measure of lunacy to this theatrical pot of nonsense and you have all the ingredients for a crazy rollercoaster ride that builds and builds into an insane, ludicrous, climax that would not be amiss within the walls of Bedlam! Written by an English author, they may need a small amount of 'tweaking' for a different country's audiences. You can see more details on our website at http://www.playsandmusicals.co.uk - www.playsandmusicals.co.uk under 'Plays', One Act', 'Commedia del'Arte'. Each title has a downloadable pdf preview script, and we support online ordering in US Dollars. David |
Posted By: casey05
Date Posted: 7/19/05 at 5:40am
Forgive my questioning, but isn't the whole point of Commedia that it's
meant to be improvisational? I honestly don't mean to be rude, was just
wondering 
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