1. IV. Italian Renaissance [During the Italian Renaissance, there were two distinct types of theatre: 1. The popular theatre 2. The intellectual theatre] What does “popular” mean? Who might be the target audience for popular theatre?

2. A. Commedia dell’Arte, popular theatre (Kō-MAY-dee-ah dell AR-tay) 1.Actors formed troupes of 10 to 12 members (3 to 4 women) a. Shared costs and profits b. Most moved constantly c. Performed in rented rooms or in the streets d. Played the same character for life

3. The Gelosi troupe from Italy performed in both Italy and France during the latter part of the 16 th century.

4. Commedia troupe performing at Hôtel de Bourgogne in 1695

5. 2. Dialogue improvised along a plot outline (scenario or canovaccio)

6. a.Masters 3. Stock characters

7. Pantalone (PAN-tah-LONE-nay) An old miser who tries to find a young girl to marry. He has a wrinkled mask with beaked nose, a pointed beard, and a cape. Think of a chicken or turkey as inspiration for his strutting walk.

8. Il Dottore (eel Doh-TOR-ray) Dottore (doctor) has book learning, but no practical knowledge. He may use nonsense works. He usually wears the scholar’s robe of the renaissance.

9. Il Capitano (eel CAP-eh-TAHN-oh) Capitano wears a uniform and brags about his daring deeds, but he is a coward. (Some consider him part of the servant class.)

10. Pulcinella (PULL-chi-NELL-ah) Pulchinella is a grumpy old man. He is hump-backed and pot-bellied. He usually has a brown or black wrinkled mask with a nose like a beak. He carries a stick and looks for a fight.

11. b. Servants, zannis (ZAH-nees)

12. Scapino (Sca-PEE-no) Scapino is a rascal. He comes up with scheme after scheme to get money, most of which get him into trouble so that he has to run away. He carries a slapstick. Think of a bird as inspiration for his movement.

13. Arlecchino (AR-leh-KEY-no) Arlecchino’s costume originally had patches, which eventually became geometric shapes, often diamonds. He is not very bright, but can plan schemes. Arlecchino is known for physical stunts. Think cat, monkey, or fox as inspiration for movement.

14. Brighella (Bri-GELL-ah) GELL combines the G of “girl” with the ELL of “yell.” Brighella is the zanni with the most power. He is intelligent, cynical, and out to better himself by whatever means possible. (In later commedia, he becomes a minor master.)

15. Columbina (COLL-um-BEEN-ah) Columbina is the usually the personal servant of one of the female innamorati. She is the most sane and rational of all the commedia characters. She can even read and write. Columbina is frequently paired with Arlecchino. She does not wear a character mask. Think of a dove as inspiration for movement.

16. Pedrolino (PAY-dro-LEE-no) Pedrolino is often the butt of jokes. His clothes are floppy and far too big for him. Pedrolino is always tired. Instead of a mask, he wears white powder. The French will call him Pierrot, and give him a little tear. Do you see the resemblance to our traditional clown costume?

17. Tartaglia (Tar-TA-glee-ah) This poor fellow isn’t anyone’s personal servant. He might be a lawyer, scribe, or policeman. Tartaglia’s distinguishing feature is his stutter. He becomes enraged when he can’t get the words out correctly. He waddles with his weight back on his heels and his stomach pushed forward.

18. c. Lovers, innamorati (IN-ah-mor-RAH-tee) - Exaggerated innocence - Masks only as disguise [usually held on sticks] [These are lovers as in people who are in love, not people who are having a sexual relationship!]

19. The humor of the lovers stems from the extremes in their emotions. They may be very happy one moment, then plunge into total despair in the next moment.

20. 4. Lazzi (LOT-see) – practiced physical bits We owe much of what we know about the look of commedia dell-arte to the etchings of a French printmaker named Jacques Callot (1592-1632.)

21. More Jacques Callot etchings