The Dramaturgy of Commedia dell'Arte

This book explores Commedia dell Arte as a performative genre, analyzing it through the framework of dramaturgy and dramaturgical practice. It discusses the exploration of Commedia in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, the reinventors' dramaturgic approaches, and how modern discoveries can aid in the study of historical performance practice. It also examines audiences' reading and reception of masks, the relationship between masked and unmasked roles, improvisation, the performative construction of roles, language and embodied locality, and the performative relationship between Commedia and literary tragicomedy. It is an important read for students and scholars of Commedia dell Arte and theatre historians.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 180 pages
Publication date: 31 December 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into Commedia dell Arte as a dynamic and theatrical genre, urging its analysis through the lens of dramaturgy and dramaturgical practices. Spanning the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, it explores the diverse approaches taken by its reinventors, highlighting key figures such as Jacques Lecoq, Dario Fo, and Antonio Fava. Additionally, it discusses how modern discoveries can contribute to the study of historical performance practices. The book also examines the intricate relationship between audiences and masks, the dynamics between masked and unmasked roles, the wide array of performance activities encompassed by improvisation, the construction of live performances from scenarios, the role of language and embodied locality in performance, and the interplay between performative Commedia and literary tragicomedy. With a strong emphasis on dramaturgy, this book serves as a valuable resource for students and scholars of Commedia dell Arte, as well as theatre historians seeking to understand the enduring significance of this unique and influential performance form.

This volume examines the way Commedia has been explored in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, and details its reinventors dramaturgic approaches, both focusing in on specific examples such as Jacques Lecoq, Dario Fo and Antonio Fava, and also suggesting how modern discoveries may aid the study of historical performance practice. It also discusses how audiences read and receive masks; the relationship between the different masked and unmasked roles; the range of performance activities that come under the umbrella term ‘improvisation; the performative construction of a role performed ‘live from a scenario; the role of language and embodied locality in performance; and the performative relationship between performative commedia and literary tragicomedy.

Its focus is dramaturgy, and so it may be read both as a text describing various theatrical practices from 1946 onwards and as a way of creating ones own contemporary Commedia practice. It is an important read for any student or scholar of Commedia dell Arte and theatre historians grappling with the status of this unique and influential performance form.

Weight: 312g
Dimension: 154 x 235 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367608842