Commedia dell’Arte Character Recap
Il Dottore (The Doctor) Pantelone (Pants) Tight with money – money pouch dangling, bent over, walks with circular steps, talks like a chicken! Il Dottore (The Doctor) The Doctor – does inappropriate operations. Not very bright, but thinks he is so uses long words. Stands with hand on hip, chest out, gesturing a lot! Arlecchino (Harlequin) Servant – fancies Pantelone’s daughter. Very cheeky. Stands with one foot forward and leg bent. 3 step walk. Carries a slapstick. Rough voice.
Il Capitano (The Captain) Zanni Lots of Zanni in Commedia. Very foolish. Play practical jokes. Always hungry. Acrobatic and low to the ground. Strained voice and OTT laugh! Il Capitano (The Captain) The Captain – brags about his supposed victories in battle, but actually a coward, scared of everything! Carries a sword, speaks loudly, but blusters a lot. Large steps but gets nowhere because he keeps waving at people. Pulcinella (Puffin) Quiet and shifty, feet pointed inwards, hunched over with hump on back. Talks in a crafty, chicken-like voice, “Do you want to do a deal?”
Colombina A maid. Carries a basket or tambourine. Very flirtatious, uses her femininity. Voice is soft, husky and suggestive!