Transcript Renaissance Theatre

Renaissance Theatre
The Rebirth
• Renaissance meant “rebirth.” Thus this era in
theatre was when theatre once again
returned to the public for entertainment.
• Began in Italy and then spread throughout
Europe and into Spain. Eventually would reach
England last.
Social Class
• The upper class enjoyed elaborately staged
performances. Many new staging techniques
originated in the Renaissance Italy. These
elaborate productions eventually became the
operas that we know today.
• The lower and middle class enjoyed a type of
theatre called Commedia dell’ Arte. These
productions included stock characters that
were easily recognized in each show.
New Developments
• Since theatre was moved back indoors, there was a need to
develop new lighting techniques. Lights were made to
focus with different shapes to the light holders. Generally
still candle light, but later oil lamps became common. Also
larger scale lighting like chandeliers were used.
• Scene design became 3 dimensional. These elaborate sets
were usually used in the operas at the time, but are now
common for all levels of theatrical productions. The
development of a raked stage (wedge shape) helped
facilitate this.
• The shape of the stage was now defined by a frame or arch.
This is called the proscenium and represents a picture
frame to view the show through. This allowed the scenery
to be hidden and changed between scenes so that it was a
surprise to the audience when revealed.
New Developments
• Technicians developed many new mechanical
devices to help with special effects during the
Renaissance.
– There was a fly system developed to raise scenery
above the stage and lower it for the necessary
scenes. The curtains originally “flew” up and down
as well (many still do). Eventually we have learned
to fly people and props too!
– The pulley system we are still familiar with today
was the main basis for these new systems.
Commedia dell’ Arte
• Generally the same “type” of story repeated with
different scenarios.
• Spoofed the upper class and focused on love.
• Used stock characters to be easily recognized by
the audience in each show performed.
• Characters were costumed a specific way and
many were masked with particular masks to make
them very recognizable.
• The specific character name was less important
than the type of character acting in the fashion
he/she was “supposed to.”
Stock Characters
• We now call this type of recognizable characteristics in
certain individual groups a stereotype.
• These are just some of the most commonly recognized
characters. There are PLENTY more!
• Who were they?
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Harlequin
Zanni
Pantalone
Dottore
Capitano
Inamorati
Columbina
Harlequin
• The Zanni are the servants. The harlequin
(also known as Arlecchino) is the head of
them all and generally is very mischievous.
• Harlequin wears a diamond patterned
costume and a mask with a large rounded
nose & an exaggerated comic expression.
Zanni
• A Zanni is a comic servant. Can be male or female
and go by many individual names.
• Costumes were baggy and lowly looking. They
were originally made of flour sacks.
• Masks were carnival-like. The longer the noses,
the stupider they were.
Pantalone
• The pantalone is an old man who desires money and is
scrooge-like. He also has the purpose of making it
difficult for the lovers to get together. We get our
word pants from this character.
• Costume is usually tight pants with a large cod piece (a
big exaggerated cup over his “man parts”) to show his
ability as a “ladies man” in his younger years. He is
sometimes shown in very baggy pants instead.
• The mask has a long hooked nose, like a stork beak.
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Il Dottore
• He is an old man. A doctor of academics. His purpose is to
get in the way of the young Lovers. He generally spews
nonsense and often mispronounces the panalone’s name
for comic purpose.
• Costume is usually a large graduation style robe in black.
• The mask only covers the forehead and the nose, but is
exaggerated.
• He is a massive figure in appearance, very large in height
and in frame.
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Capitano
• Formerly a captain in the military (maybe) he was
either long since stripped of his title or he made it
up.
• Very egotistical and usually in cahoots with
Pantalone.
• Costume is a spoof on the military uniform.
• Mask has a long “crocodile” nose.
Inamorati
• The Lovers. The majority of the story revolves around
these two young lovers trying to get together against
the obstacles that are presented them by the other
characters.
• Costumes are generally highly stylish for the time.
• These characters do not wear masks, but do wear
heavy make-up.
Columbina
• She was one of the main Zanni along with Harlequin.
She was the personal servant to the female lover.
• She was better dressed than most of the other
servants because of her position. She is different from
the lover in that she wears a white apron or mask.
• Her mask is like the other Zanni.
Playwrights
• Each country had their own big name
playwrights that we still recognize today.
– Italy: There are no specific lasting names
– France: Moliere
– Spain: Lope do Vega & Calderon
– England (became the Elizabethan era when the
Renaissance finally reached England): Christopher
Marlowe & Ben Johnson, then William
Shakespeare
The Link
• The Renaissance Era spanned several
countries.
• The Renaissance brought the theatre of the
past back from the churches and then pushed
it forward into the theatre we know today.
Writing Assignment
• Write a comic story using the stock characters
described in this power point for Commedia
dell’ Arte.
• Must be at least one page.
• Characters should stay true to the
descriptions in this presentation.
The End
• Turn in your assignment and work on your
project preparations.