Masks And Marionettes

MASKS AND MARIONETTES by JOSEPH SPENCER KENNARD. originally published in 1935. Contents include: MASKS I. ORIGIN OF THE COMMEDIA DELUARTE . . . The Commedia deHArte is Art and it is PsychologyIt is a theatre of music, dance, colour and light It depicts human frail ties, parodies human foiblesItalian Commedia delFArte is of Roman, Greek and Etruscan origin In Italian Commedia dell Arte, dialects are spoken, masks are used and realism and obscen ity are common I Gelosi, the most famous of all the Commedia dellArte Companies, arrives in Florence. II. FAMOUS PLAYERS AND FAMOUS COMPANIES . , 18 Angela Beolco, surname d Ruzzante the Joker born 1502 was an early and famous actor in Commedia dell Arte He shared in the revival of Italian Comedy, and its use of dialects Giancarli of Rovigo was another actor famous in Commedia dell Arte In 1570 the Italian Art Theatre came to Paris and there remained popular for over two hundred years Francesco Andreini and his wife, Isabella, his son and sons wife Florinda, Tabarino and Flaminio Scala were among the most famous actors in Com media deirArteThe Confidenti, Accesi, and Desiosi were among the most famous Art Theatre Companies The Com media dellArte not only was an institution in Prance but exerted an important influence upon English Comedy. III. COMPOSITION OF THE DRAMATIC COMPANIES - JOYS AND SORROWS OF THE ACTORS ... 38 A Commedia dellArte Company consisted, usually, of three women and seven men Pant alone , Arlecchino, Pulcinella, and Brighella are basic types Joys and sorrows of Commedia dell Arte actors Today they live in luxury, tomorrow they are cold and hungry Pride, scandal, jealousy and immorality of the actors Insults, decrees, regulations and punishments are their portion. Improvised Comedy reached its zenith about 1650. vii viii CONTENTS IV. THE PLOT-THE SCENARIO-IMPROVISATION ZIBALDONI 46 Improvised and Studied Comedy had many types and subjects in common The ludicrous interpolations in a play are called lazzi Playing impromptu adds vivacity to the acting In the Art Theatre each actor had his own commonplace-book or Zibal done a collection of jests and speeches adapted to his part in the play The Commedia delFArte deliberately chose the ob scene and the absurd In the Commedia delFArte Isabella is a coquette, the Doctor an erudite ass and crooked-nosed Pulcinella makes absurd gestures and - funny speeches Brighella is a - fawn ing scoundrel, a thief and liarCapitano is a coward, a bully and a ridiculous soldier-lover Pedrolino and Pierrot are the same-He is a cunning ruffian The Colombina soubrette is beautiful, charming and frequently virtuous. V. FURTHER SCENARIOS AND MASKS OF THE COM MEDIA DELUARTE 66 The Plays of Flaminio ScalaThe Dentist Actors used their stage-names in private life Pant alone and Doctor Graziano are the two old men of the Commedia delFArte plays Arlecchino is a liar, swindler and sometimes thief, but he is a most amusing character Biancolelli Dominique was perhaps the greatest and Gherardi was another famous Arlecchino. VI. GOLDONI AND GOZZI-DECAY AND DEATH OF THE COMMEDIA DELUARTE 76 Goldoni is the greatest author of the Commedia dellArte His plays reveal every aspect of lifeLe Gortesan, Colombina and Corralina are among his most charming characters His immortal Pantalone is Goldonis mouthpiece and the central figure in the Goldonian Comedy Carlo Gozzi was Goldonis jealous rival His Fiabe are often vulgar caricatures but attained popularity The Little Green Bird is Gozzis best playGozzi f s quarrel with Goldoni, his Fiabe, his love for Teodora Ricci and his Memoirs, sum up his life. ITALIAN MARIONETTES I. ORIGIN OF ITALIAN MARIONETTES ......