Transcript Masks - Part 1

KS3 Drama – Masks – Part 1
KS3 Drama
Masks – Part 1
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Learning objectives
Learn about the use of masks in history.
Learn about forms of masked theatre from
around the world including Italian Commedia
dell’arte and Japanese Noh and Kyogen.
Learn some different mask-making techniques.
Learn how to develop physical aspects of
performance in masked theatre.
Experiment in using masks in rehearsal and
performance.
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Masks around the world
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Masks and ritual
When a person wears a mask they lose their identity and
take on the identity of the mask.
For this reason masks have had
a long association with ritual,
and societies across the world
have worn masks as part of
their religious ceremonies.
Often the masks are worn by
dancers and represent spirits
or gods.
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Masks and ritual
When performing rituals in masks, actors can use symbolic
gestures and movements to communicate with their audience.
Look at the poses of this masked actor. What do you think
he is trying to symbolize through each movement or gesture?
What gestures or movements would you use to symbolize
the following: a greeting; an instruction to leave;
an instruction to stop; despair; confusion?
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Masks and ritual
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Early masks in the theatre
Masks have been an important element of theatre since its
very beginnings.
The Ancient Greeks performed
all of their plays in full masks.
As there were usually only three
actors in a play, different masks
enabled them to perform a
number of roles more easily.
The universally recognized
symbol of theatre is an image
of the tragic and comic masks
of Greek and Roman theatre.
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Early masks in the theatre
Ancient Greek and Roman theatrical masks covered not only
the face but most of the head as well.
This photo shows part of a
mosaic of Roman theatrical
masks. It was usual for each
mask in Roman theatre to
have a distinct hairstyle,
and an exaggerated facial
expression which was
appropriate to the role.
How do you think the design of Greek and Roman masks
might have changed the way the actors performed?
How do you think the masks helped the actors?
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Early masks in the theatre
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Commedia dell’arte
The best known of all European masked theatre forms is the
Italian comedy known as commedia dell’arte. Commedia
dell’arte (‘comedy of art’) originated in Venice in the 16th
century. It went on to become popular all over Europe and
has influenced many other forms of drama.
Traditionally the masks of commedia dell’arte
were made out of leather and covered half
of the actor’s face. Each character had their
own distinctive mask, which helped to
identify them. The masks typically
have broad, comic features, deep
grooves and exaggerated noses.
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Commedia dell’arte: the characters
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Commedia dell’arte: lazzi
The actors who performed commedia dell’arte in Venice
did not use full play scripts. Instead they developed
comic routines known as lazzi, which they combined
with improvised scenes to make their performances.
The leader of the group, the
capocomico, would write a list
of scenes and lazzi before the
performance. The acting would
be a mixture of mime, clowning,
acrobatics, improvised speech
and dance.
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Commedia dell’arte: perform your own lazzi
Try performing the following lazzi for two actors, taking on
the roles of Pantaloon and Harlequin. It is best performed
as a mime with muttering and sounds but no words.
A hot day. Pantaloon is tired. He tells Harlequin that he is not to be
disturbed, and falls asleep.
A fly lands on Harlequin. He slaps at it several times and watches
it as it flies around. He becomes angry and starts to stalk the fly.
The fly lands on Pantaloon and Harlequin tries to hit it, waking up
Pantaloon in the process. Pantaloon chases after Harlequin.
Suddenly Harlequin stops. He takes a swipe at the
air and catches the fly in his hand. He listens to it.
Pantaloon watches.
Harlequin puts the fly in his mouth and swallows.
He runs off buzzing, chased by Pantaloon.
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Japanese theatre
Actors in two of the best known traditional theatre forms in
Japan use masks.
Noh theatre dates back to the 14th century. It centres
around serious themes such as spirituality, love and revenge.
Actors in Noh theatre
have their own unique
masks, which symbolize
certain standardized
types, including gods,
demons, men, women
and the elderly.
MasksoftheWorld.com
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It is traditional for the masked actors of Noh theatre to spend
time meditating on their reflection before going on stage.
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Japanese theatre
Kyogen theatre is a farcical form of Japanese masked
theatre, and would often be performed as interludes between
acts of the more serious Noh dramas, in order to provide the
audience with some light relief.
The masks of Kyogen are
much more exaggerated
than Noh masks to create
a comic effect.
Look carefully at this Kyogen
mask. Can you see any
similarities with the Italian
commedia dell’arte masks?
MasksoftheWorld.com
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