Group Performance & Essay
Commedia dell’Arte is a style of acting and street performing that involves multiple characters each wearing a half mask that is unique to the character. Within Commedia there are a range of stock characters, each with a different set of personality traits and physical traits, shown in the masks.
These characters are organised into three groups: the masters and the servants. the masters are the leaders of the household, with the servants serving under them. On the side are the lovers, who are in love. The performances are often vulgar, over the top and filled with dirty jokes and innuendos.
This form of performing began in Italy in the 16th century, though exacts origins unknown, the style is thought to have been derived from improvised roman mask theatre and multiple other forms of performance. A main feature of Comedia is the ‘lazzi,’ a ‘lazzi’ is a comedic routine that comes from a characters traits that is regularly intertwined with the performance for comedic effect.
Another feature of Comedia is pantomime, which is when the characters interact with the audience of the show. Comedia is only partly scripted, mainly for entrances, exit’s and particular jokes, also the play performance would take place in a particular scenario. Comedia is a silly and funny form of theatre involving half masks...
