Physical Theatre, Improvisation, Ancestor of Pantomime
COMMEDIA DELL’ARTE is the most representative form of theatre in Italian history. Conceived and developed within the arenas of market-place performers, noblemen’s courts and universities, its long life cycle spanned for 250 years from the 16th to the 18th centuries, influencing all other forms of theatre to come.
As the performers of Commedia travelled all over Europe, invited by Monarchs and Tsars, they spread the seeds of what was to become modern European theatre . We find comic characters resembling (or taken directly from) the masked characters of Commedia in the works of Shakespeare and Moliére; circus and puppet-theatre (Punch and Judy;) the work of Charlie Chaplin, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, Eric Morecombe and Ernie Wise and last but not least, Mr. Bean. It is well known that the British Pantomime was developed from this craft.
PROGRAMME:
• Introduction: the history of Commedia dell’Arte
• Physical and vocal training
• The body and the mask
• Introduction to the 5 characters (Maschere:Arlecchino, Pantalone, Dottore, Brighella, Colombina
• Technical work on each mask: masters (Pantalone, Dottore) and servants (Arlecchino, Brighella, Colombina)
• Canovacci (short plots)
• Lazzi (improvisation )
• The city of the Masks: introduction of a specific practice to explore and experiment with the masks
STEFANO GUIZZI
He trained in Commedia dell’Arte with Giorgio Strehler and Ferruccio Soleri, He is part of the cast of the world famous show “Harlequin, Servant of Two Masters” travelling around the world since 1997. In 2008, he began to teach Commedia workshop, in collaboration with Mr. Soleri and Piccolo Theatre of Milano, to young actors in Russia, Bolivia, Corea, China and many other countries.
COST OF THE “TASTER” WORKSHOP £40
COST OF THE 5 DAY COURSE £150/£130 (conc.)
BOOK & PAY BOTH COURSES TOGETHER: £150 only!
BOOKING info@charioteertheatre.co.uk
Workshop + corso