Saturday, December 21, 2019
Commedia dellââ¬â¢arte is a performance style that originated...
Commedia dellââ¬â¢arte is a performance style that originated in Italy emphasizing pantomime, improvisation, and ensemble acting, using over the top movements to accentuate emotions on a bare stage. Although shows presented by commedia dellââ¬â¢arte troupes were improvisations they were heavily influenced using an array of stock situations along with very well-developed masks (characters). Commedia dellââ¬â¢arte masks have molded the creation of characters from William Shakespeareââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"Merchant of Veniceâ⬠to Matt Groeningââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"The Simpsonsâ⬠. Keeping society entertained at every age. Unlike most masks in theatre, or even masks for ceremonial purposes, performers in commedia dellââ¬â¢arte wear masks that cover half of their face leaving their mouths free.â⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦The use of masks was of a great significance to the early performers. (Marczak, 7) Early in the life of commedia dellââ¬â¢arte it quickly became normal to call the ââ¬Å"characterâ⬠ââ¬Å"the Maskâ⬠. Performers would be the Mask of Il Capitano, or the Mask of Pantalone. This notion of being the mask can get confusing as not all commedia dellââ¬â¢arte characters wear masks that convey who they are. ââ¬Å"Lovers are the Commedia stock characters that do not wear masksâ⬠(Sullivan 14). In this case the Masks are often referred to as stereotypes. This wouldnââ¬â¢t be very accurate. Stereotypical characters are very broad two dimensional characters that are based on a class of persons that have been stuck with prejudices and generalizations. Although old men are salacious and money-grubbing that isnââ¬â¢t all the Mask of Pantalone must be this way. If done right he is so much more than that, but that is left to the performer that takes on the Mask to develop with their own flair. Often we find Il Capitano playing the false romantic lead. Since he is part of the Vecchi (old people) one of his common functions is to interfere with the innamorati or young lovers. He is often hired by the father, Pantalone, to protect his daughter. Upon which Il Capitano often falls head over heels in love with her, creating opportunities for a great lazzi to occur. Lazzi are rehearsed comical bits added throughout the performance at the performerââ¬â¢s
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