- Hardcover: 224 pages
- Publisher: Routledge (24 Feb 1994)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0415047692
- ISBN-13: 978-0415047692
- Product Dimensions: 23.8 x 16.2 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 4,772,771 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
| |||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Amazon.co.uk Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
This account of Commedia's origins as a popular theatrical form includes a practical, step-by-step guide to using Commedia techniques in performance. The work explores Commedia's recent revival through companies like Tag and Theatre de Complicite and the influential methods of Jacques Lecoq. The second part of the book provides a guide for would-be practitioners, demonstrating how to approach the roles of Zanni, Arlecchion, Brighella, Pantalone, Dottore, and the Lovers. It explains each stock character's "type" in turn: name, status, origin; costume, mask, props; stance, walks, movements; gestures, speech, characteristics; and relationships, plot functions and improvizations. The text also covers a range of "lazzi" or comic business, improvization exercises, sample monologues and dialogues. The author charts the experiments of 20th-century directors and artistes in "reconstructing and revitalizing a form which dominated European culture for three centuries".
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse and search another edition of this book.
First Sentence
In order to clear the ground to begin discussion of the origins of commedia dell'arte, scholarly caveats as to what the phrase itself means and how to translate it need reiteration. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
In order to clear the ground to begin discussion of the origins of commedia dell'arte, scholarly caveats as to what the phrase itself means and how to translate it need reiteration. Read the first page
Explore More
Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Clear and practical guide for anyone interested,
By A Customer
This review is from: Commedia Dell'Arte: An Actor's Handbook: A Handbook (Paperback)
A very clear and concise guide to all things Commedia, with easy to read chapters and reference sections. Well balanced information with little left out. Very modern; it brings Commedia into the twenty-first century. The non-technical language and explanation mean that anyone could use this book.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Excellent book for all interested in this art.,
By BryBo "brysie" (Hemel Hempstead) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Commedia Dell'Arte: An Actor's Handbook: A Handbook (Paperback)
I have had this book for years and bought it to find out about this form of entertainment and to get info into the characters. Although it is meant for actors (as is the second book Commedia Dell Arte-a handbook for troupes) it is very informative for a historical point of view as well.
After the introduction, you go into part 1 which goes into the origins, the masks and playing Commedia which includes making a leather mask, acting in a mask, staging etc. It goes into part 2 which goes through the stock characters (this is very helpful and useful to find out about how the characters react it includes the name (with it's meaning), costume, stance (servant, zanni, employer etc), gestures, relationships, status, mask, walks (long strides, with limp etc), speech, plot functions, origins (from France, Neapolitan etc) , props (a cudgel), movements, characteristics and improvisations. It has brilliant engravings and drawings showing the plays and crowds and scenes to get into the mood and includes scenario's, Acts and non-improvised elements to get the person immersed into the theatre. Part 3 are essays about those reconstructing 20th Century shows with some photos and the appendix is how to make masks, which includes plaster of paris, wood, leather etc. All in all a very good book to read, even if just interested in the show, the history or the characters, you will find this very informative. You may even want to do the play yourself.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Clear and concise!,
This review is from: Commedia Dell'Arte: An Actor's Handbook: A Handbook (Paperback)
I recently started tutoring a drama academy and having studied Commedia Dell'arte some years ago I felt I needed to brush up on my knowledge. This book made the chore of writing lesson plans a joy! It is a must for anyone in a similar situation to me or indeed anyone who might just be interested in the subject.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
|
|
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
