Category Archives: Acting style

Posted on 2016-03-15 by Micke Klingvall

Distance as acting style in Commedia dell’Arte

Commedia dell’Arte is always played with a sense of distance. It comes from the stylizing of the mask, the size of play, the use of mask, loose phalluses and other deformities of the body, the actor’s energy and the simplicity … Read the rest of this entry →

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Posted on 2016-02-26 by Micke Klingvall

Prolog or opening in Commedia dell’Arte

The introduction to a Commedia dell’Arte show in very important. It does not only have to present the different masks so that a modern audience will know them at an early stage in the show, it must also introduce the … Read the rest of this entry →

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Posted on 2016-02-23 by Micke Klingvall

Lazzo in Commedia dell’Arte

This might be the most known term in Commedia dell’Arte, though it is hardly known at all to those who are not involved in Commedia dell’Arte. It is not used anywhere else, but very often used in Commedia dell’Arte. What … Read the rest of this entry →

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Posted on 2016-02-22 by Micke Klingvall

Canovaccio in Commedia dell’Arte

If we go back to the heydays of Commedia dell’Arte the concept of canovaccio becomes more complicated. It was used both as a full scenario or just a plotline in a scenario. The word means “what’s on the canvas”. But … Read the rest of this entry →

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Posted on 2016-02-11 by Micke Klingvall

Parody in Commedia dell’Arte

A common convention in Commedia dell’Arte, with very old ancestries, is the habit of mock and parody other groups and colleagues. This tradition goes back to the times when several groups were performing from their carts and wagons at the … Read the rest of this entry →

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Posted on 2016-02-04 by Micke Klingvall

Hierarchies and status play in Commedia dell’Arte

Commedia dell’Arte also built on the play with status. It is the old master/servant relation, where Pantalone and Dottore are the highest ranked and the zanni the lowest. In between them is Capitano who represents the military power, is an … Read the rest of this entry →

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Posted on 2016-01-28 by Micke Klingvall

Frenzy in Commedia dell’Arte

When we talk about frenzy it has much to do with the organization of a canovaccio. We can build a canovaccio where the energy itself plays the main part. Surprise after surprise until the frenzy reaches its peak. This is … Read the rest of this entry →

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Posted on 2016-01-25 by Micke Klingvall

Transformations in Commedia dell’Arte

The usual use of this element in Commedia dell’Arte is either magic or disguises. We can find its origins in the Carnival’s and the May feast’s death and resurrection or in the Feast of Fools with its mutability and chaos, … Read the rest of this entry →

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Posted on 2016-01-22 by Micke Klingvall

Stupidity, animal behavior or/and amorality in Commedia dell’Arte

The masks neither can nor want to limit themselves by law, morals or common sense.  The masks are here mirroring themselves mainly in actions of unmatched stupidity, or driven by monumental lust or hunger, or blissfully unknowing about rules and … Read the rest of this entry →

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Posted on 2016-01-18 by Micke Klingvall

The wooing and sexual union between youth in Commedia dell’Arte

This may be the most important element for building scenarios, at least later scenarios. We are talking about the plays that basically deal with one or more pairs of Innamorati that, after going through obstacles, win each other and marry. … Read the rest of this entry →

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