ABSTRACT

A companion to John Rudlin's best-selling Commedia dell'Arte: A Handbook for Actors, this book covers both the history and professional practice of commedia dell'arte companies from 1568 to the present day. Indispensable for both the beginner and the professional, it contains historical and contemporary company case histories, details on company organisation, and tips on practical stagecraft.
Essential for students and practitioners, this book enables the reader to understand how successful commedia dell'arte companies function, and how we can learn from past and current practice to create a lively and dynamic form of theatre.
Includes tips on:
* writing a scenario
* mask-making
* building a stage
* designing a backdrop
* costume
* music.
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chapter |7 pages

Zan Ganassa (1568–1610)

chapter |11 pages

The Gelosi (1568–1604)

chapter |3 pages

Pedrolino (1576–?)

chapter |2 pages

Adriano Valerini

chapter |1 pages

The Dediosi (1581–99)

chapter |9 pages

The Confidenti

chapter |2 pages

The Uniti (1578–1640)

chapter |3 pages

The Accessi (1590–1628)

chapter |6 pages

The Fedeli (1601–52)

part |2 pages

Part II Commedia now

chapter |18 pages

The sister arts

chapter |5 pages

Carlo Boso

chapter |6 pages

Jacques Lecoq

chapter |17 pages

Antonio Fava

chapter |5 pages

Carlo Mazzone-Clementi

chapter |10 pages

Renaissance Fair companies

chapter |15 pages

Other troupes

part |2 pages

Part III Forming, training and performing

chapter |6 pages

Forming a company

chapter |3 pages

Training a company

chapter |1 pages

Pantalone, Isabella Pantalone, Valerio

Isabella attempts to wheedle her father into allowing her to marry Lelio. Pantalone says he’s

chapter |1 pages

Pantalone, Zanni Pantalone, Brighella

Pantalone repeatedly calls for Zanni who calls back a new reason each time for not coming on

chapter |1 pages

Pantalone, Franceschina Il Dottore, Zanni (or Pedrolino)

Franceschina spurns Pantalone’s advances, reminding him of the inadequacies of old age.

chapter |1 pages

Il Dottore, Florindo Il Dottore, Il Capitano

Il Dottore tells his son that he has arranged the ideal match for him – Eularia. Florindo is mortified:

chapter |1 pages

Il Dottore, Colombina Cynthia, Colombina

Colombina is sweeping the floor while Il Dottore discourses on the great lovers of history at the

chapter |1 pages

Lavinia, Colombina Aurelio, Ortensio

It’s Valentine’s Day. Lavina is in despair because she hasn’t received one. Colombina has had a

chapter |1 pages

Flavio, Arlecchino Florindo, Zanni

Arlecchino pretends to be Petunia, the object of his master’s affections, so that Flavio can practise

chapter |1 pages

Fabrizio, Sylvia Arlecchino, Colombina

Fabrizio has received his call-up papers. Little by little he breaks the news to Sylvia who thinks it is

chapter |1 pages

Colombina, Arlecchino Colombina, Pedrolino

Colombina says she’s fed up – she never gets to go anywhere or do anything interesting. She sees

chapter |1 pages

Pedrolino, Zanni Il Capitano, Arlecchino

They want to go to Disneyland, but can’t afford it. Instead they create it for each

chapter |1 pages

Arlecchino, Zanni Brighella, Franceschina

Arlecchino bemoans the fact that he is broke and it’s Colombina’s birthday. Enter Zanni with a

chapter |1 pages

Brighella, Zanni

Zanni is carrying his master’s shopping home. He meets Brighella who tricks it off him,

chapter |1 pages

Il Magnifico, Zanni, Franceschina Pantalone, Pedrolino, Brighella

Il Magnifico sends Zanni with a message vital to the safety of the state, and exits, threatening him

chapter |1 pages

Pantalone, Pedrolino, Flavio Dottores, Arlecchino

Pantalone catches Pedrolino stealing and decides to hang him. He finds it difficult and

chapter |1 pages

Il Dottore, Zanni, Brighella Il Dottore, Colombina, Il Capitano

Brighella convinces Zanni to play dead so that Il Dottore can experiment on his corpse – which he does.

chapter |1 pages

Flavio, Il Capitano, Arlecchino Fabrizio, Vittoria, Zanni

Il Capitano boasts to Arlecchino of his prowess with women. He makes him pretend to be

chapter |1 pages

Il Capitano, Colombina, Pedrolino Colombina, Franceschina, Il Capitano

Il Capitano makes up to Colombina who mocks him and exits. Enter Pedrolino – Il Capitano

chapter |14 pages

Isabella, Franceschina, Scapino (or Arlecchino) Brighella, Arlecchino, Zanni

Isabella and Franceschina argue over their respective attitudes to men. It turns into a cat

chapter |16 pages

Rehearsing and performing