Forte Theatre | Commedia Dell'Arte


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		Commedia Dell' Arte \| Comedy, Mask, Slapstick, Improvisation...
		Introductory Workshop Commedia Dell Arte is the art of exaggerating the truth; caricature. It is derived from Venetian carnivals and market places where performers would improvise by ridiculing and parodying society. From this, individual stock characters developed and half masks and props were introduced, then all was placed into a structured performance of comic gags, romantic escapades and fights for character supremacy. The workshop utilises Forte Theatres’ trademark character devising process which makes this a unique experience. `A little about the technique…` `This comedy driven technique` began in the 15^th Century and was popular through to the 18^th Century. It is still greatly used today but has developed a modern form where practitioners use their own characters and structures. The masks are a major factor of the technique but it can be performed without them if wanting to take a more modern route. Commedia is broad, non naturalistic, larger than life while everyone is eligible. No-one is too young, old, thin, fat, tall, short, ugly or beautiful for Commedia. The characters are fantastical yet somehow manage to breakdown the barrier between the audience and performer. A frightened Zanni will show his knees knocking, a lover’s scene will become a dance with music, a fight will produce acrobatics and stunts and a dunce will stare blankly at the audience. It requires a playful spirit from the entire troupe of performers and a willing responsive audience. A brief explanation of the workshop content… We introduce the students to the basics of the acting style and take them through a series of exercises to learn about five of the core characters (The Vecchi): Pantelone, Il Capitano, Il Dottore, (The Zanni) Brighella and Arlecchino. We explore their movements, personalities, relationships and how to incorporate the masks and the comic gags – the Lazzi. The students are able to explore the selected characters with the key performance elements with structured performance plots and freedom for comic creativity. The students then work in groups as we ignite a process to create their own Commedia performance using all the elements explored. How it can help your students… The students are equipped with takeaway skills and tools to make use of the technique in future devised work including exam pieces; resulting with higher grades. The workshop broadens their use of their physicalities, character creation and performance ability. Through Commedia students can produce and expand on their stock characters with ease, clarity and wit; although an element of constant surprise will always present itself. The students will find it easier to discover the appropriate improvised words to make the tears flow or the laughter ring and to draw in their audience. Like true Commedia dell’Arte, the dialogue must go like a merry ball game, with ease and without pause. Click here to Download Flyer Click here to read about the Development Workshop			.
					Click here to view the masks used in the workshop Main focuses of the workshop: Caricature personalities Character Mask work Comedy Audience interaction Exaggeration of voice Alteration of physicality Performance exaggeration Technique building By the end of the workshop participants will have: Gained new skills and tools for devised work Have learnt the secrets behind mask work Discovered the simplicity of comedy Increased physicalisation and vocal enhancement ability Increased character performance ability Expanded knowledge of physical theatre and theatre cultures Become familiar with the Commedia dell’Arte Technique Click here to read about the Development Workshop

		Home \| Bouffon \| Commedia \| Mask \| Bespoke \| Conflict Resolution \| Theatre Overseas \| Training for Actors \| Contact Us \| *Book Now* \| About Us


		Home \| Bouffon \| Commedia \| Mask \| Bespoke \| Conflict Resolution \| Theatre Overseas \| Training for Actors \| Contact Us \| *Book Now* \| About Us
		Commedia Dell' Arte \| Comedy, Mask, Slapstick, Improvisation...
		Introductory Workshop Commedia Dell Arte is the art of exaggerating the truth; caricature. It is derived from Venetian carnivals and market places where performers would improvise by ridiculing and parodying society. From this, individual stock characters developed and half masks and props were introduced, then all was placed into a structured performance of comic gags, romantic escapades and fights for character supremacy. The workshop utilises Forte Theatres’ trademark character devising process which makes this a unique experience. `A little about the technique…` `This comedy driven technique` began in the 15^th Century and was popular through to the 18^th Century. It is still greatly used today but has developed a modern form where practitioners use their own characters and structures. The masks are a major factor of the technique but it can be performed without them if wanting to take a more modern route. Commedia is broad, non naturalistic, larger than life while everyone is eligible. No-one is too young, old, thin, fat, tall, short, ugly or beautiful for Commedia. The characters are fantastical yet somehow manage to breakdown the barrier between the audience and performer. A frightened Zanni will show his knees knocking, a lover’s scene will become a dance with music, a fight will produce acrobatics and stunts and a dunce will stare blankly at the audience. It requires a playful spirit from the entire troupe of performers and a willing responsive audience. A brief explanation of the workshop content… We introduce the students to the basics of the acting style and take them through a series of exercises to learn about five of the core characters (The Vecchi): Pantelone, Il Capitano, Il Dottore, (The Zanni) Brighella and Arlecchino. We explore their movements, personalities, relationships and how to incorporate the masks and the comic gags – the Lazzi. The students are able to explore the selected characters with the key performance elements with structured performance plots and freedom for comic creativity. The students then work in groups as we ignite a process to create their own Commedia performance using all the elements explored. How it can help your students… The students are equipped with takeaway skills and tools to make use of the technique in future devised work including exam pieces; resulting with higher grades. The workshop broadens their use of their physicalities, character creation and performance ability. Through Commedia students can produce and expand on their stock characters with ease, clarity and wit; although an element of constant surprise will always present itself. The students will find it easier to discover the appropriate improvised words to make the tears flow or the laughter ring and to draw in their audience. Like true Commedia dell’Arte, the dialogue must go like a merry ball game, with ease and without pause. Click here to Download Flyer Click here to read about the Development Workshop			.
					Click here to view the masks used in the workshop Main focuses of the workshop: Caricature personalities Character Mask work Comedy Audience interaction Exaggeration of voice Alteration of physicality Performance exaggeration Technique building By the end of the workshop participants will have: Gained new skills and tools for devised work Have learnt the secrets behind mask work Discovered the simplicity of comedy Increased physicalisation and vocal enhancement ability Increased character performance ability Expanded knowledge of physical theatre and theatre cultures Become familiar with the Commedia dell’Arte Technique Click here to read about the Development Workshop

		Home \| Bouffon \| Commedia \| Mask \| Bespoke \| Conflict Resolution \| Theatre Overseas \| Training for Actors \| Contact Us \| *Book Now* \| About Us