Theatre Renaissance History

Printing Press

Created by Gutenberg. It allowed books to be printed faster and started mass communication. More people could read and write. This caused more people in Europe started to write plays.

What types of theatre did the Italians create?

Opera and Commedia Dell'arte

Opera (and how was it created)

Created when the Italians were trying to recreate ancient Greek theatre, but they failed, which created opera, the merging of music, drama, and lots of costumes which led to musical theatre.

Operetta

Like an Opera but with movement. Like a musical but with only a handful of lines, if any.

Commedia Dell'arte

Drama by professional actors and done by acting troupes using stock characters.

What were the three main types of stock character in Commedia Dell'arte?

Il Vecchi- Old men, Il Zanni- the Servants often Zany, and Gil Innamorati- The Lovers

Slapstick

Now funny comedy, originally a stick that was broken and both pieces would hit each other making a slapping noise (knap).

Lazzi or Lazzo

Comic bits or gags. Each character has their own lazzi and most actors had lots of Lazzi for different situations. They must be tied to the story in some way.

Pantalone (Il Vecchi)

Large nose, codpiece, money bag. Greedy and man-spreads while walking. Usually the father of one of the Innamorati and either partnered or rivals with the doctor.

Il Docttore (Il Vecchi)

Round mask with a fat button nose and bushy eyebrows. Has a broadbrimmed hat. Black robes and sometimes a fat suit. Know it all, talks a lot, never known to cure people and gives mysterious potions. Usually father of one of the Innamorati and either partnered or rivals with the Pantalone.

Il Capitano (Il Vecchi)

Fake brave, screams when in an actually fight, usually new to town. Typically rival to the lover (Innamorato) and wants money. Bad guy mustache and long nose. Exaggerated military uniform and sword.

What are the four versions of Il Capitano?

Sideswitcher (always on winning side), Total coward (plays dead), Actually courageous, but a danger to his own side, thinks he is God's gift to women.

Arlecchino/Harlequin/Truffledino (Il Zanni)

Usually the protagonist and servant. Not to bright, takes hard way, but usually wins. The mask is cat-like with a small nose. Tunic with multicolored diamond patches.

Brighella (Il Zanni)

Always ready to fight, tough guy out for himself. Bartender vibes. Has green mask with greedy expression and loose fitting servants uniform with dagger or slapstick.

Columbina/Smeraldina (Il Zanni)

Heart of the play and voice of reason. Always a step ahead, witty, flirty, and sarcastic. Almost always a female character with masculine traits. Often the servant to the Innamorata and best friends with the Arlecchino. The mask is a small humanism half mask, but not always worn. Low-cut maids' uniform, carrying a tambourine.

Innamorati (Lovers)

Stupidly in love, we want them to be together. They are in love with being in love. No masks and fashionable clothing for lover of the period.

Where did the nobility and peasants sit and which parts of the play were meant for each group?

The nobility sat in nobility boxes and listened to the play. The peasants stood on the ground floor watching the physicality.

The Heavens

protected actors from weather and was used for stage effects.

Flag

showed what type of play was being performed that day. Black for tragedy, white for comedy, and red for a history.

Galleries

The seating sections. Nobility boxes and benches under a roof.

Open Yard

Where the groundlings stood to watch the show.

Main Stage

Where the main action took place.

Trapdoor

The trapdoor was 'hell' and witches would rise from it.

Inner Stage

Used for indoor scenes.

Upper Stage

Used for balcony and bedroom scenes.

Tiring House

Dressing room and storage room. Also used for entrances and exits.

Ben Johnson

Shakespeare's greatest competition. English playwright.

Shakespeare

Best English playwright.

Examples of Shakespeare's tragedies

Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet.

Examples of Shakespeare's comedies

Midsummer Nights Dream, As You Like It, and the Tempest.

Examples of Shakespeare's histories

King John, Henry V, Richard III

Examples of Shakespeare's poetry

The Sonnets, Venus and Adonis, A Lover's Complaint