Tag Archives: rites

Posted on 2016-02-18 by Micke Klingvall

The scenario in Commedia dell’Arte (Part 2)

The scenes in a scenario changes as a new mask enters the stage, but not when a mask leaves the stage. Let’s call this Italian scene division in contrast to French scene division, where they change scenes in both entries … Read the rest of this entry →

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Posted on 2016-02-15 by Micke Klingvall

The scenario in Commedia dell’Arte (Part 1)

The word scenario comes from the Greek word “skene” and means stage. It is not used in the early days of Commedia dell’Arte. Instead words as centone, soggetto or just commedia as well as canovaccio that has its own post. … 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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Posted on 2016-01-07 by Micke Klingvall

The destruction or dethronement of the old man in Commedia dell’Arte

It is about annihilation of authorities. It is easy to find its way back to the King of Carnival and the sacrificing of him, the struggle between Lent and the King of Carnival, even the Feast of Fools with its … Read the rest of this entry →

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Posted on 2015-11-09 by Micke Klingvall

The comic, dramatic combat in Commedia dell’Arte

This is the struggle between young and old, man and wife, master and servant, between two rivals and so on. The combat is a heritage from the carnival where it was an activity during the festivities, as in the struggle … Read the rest of this entry →

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