SABBATICAL ADVENTURES

Postcards If you are a person who is tuned into Commedia dell'arte, like me, as you walk throughout the city of Venice, you will soon notice the many signs of this 17th-18th century acting style. It is all over the place. It isn't obvious but it is there, hidden under the "maschere dell carnevale" (carnival masks), as the name of restaurants, hotels, stores, in street corners, and, at times, in plain sight. I don't know about the rest of Italy but here, in Venice, the signs of commedia dell'arte can be seen every where, especially right now, during the carnival. Commedia Figurines Display During the days I have spent here, I have also taken time to walk the city. And believe me, if you've never been here, walking in Venice is truly an adventure by itself. The entire city is a maze and you find yourself walking in streets no wider than two meters (6 feet.) Tourist, including Italians, find themselves stopping at corners before taking the next step because n...

Isabella & Smerldina/Witches COMMEDIA INCOMPIUTA translates to "Unfinished Comedy." The title is a reference to the philosophy that a play isn't complete until an audience sees it. And I, being a playwright myself, identify with such philosophy; I had written many plays that have never seen the light of day (never produced). As playwright, what I write is meant to be seen, so if it isn't staged, then, it is not complete. Anyway, so far, COMMEDIA INCOMPIUTA is my favorite play from the ones I've seen.   The play starts with Pantalone sending Arlecchino with a message to let "certain family" know that he intends to marry their youngest daughter, Isabella. At the same time, Flaminio, (Pantalone's son) asks Arlecchino to deliver a love letter to Isabella, whom he loves very much. Arlecchino, while conflicted with delivering both messages, is happy to go for he himself is in love with Smeraldina (Isabella's servant) and this means he can see her. ...

Carlo Goldoni Carlo Goldoni was an Italian playwright born in Venice in 1707. When he was a young man, his father, a doctor, moved to Perugia and then to Remini. It was there that Carlo Goldoni studied philosophy and law, fields that bored him for even as a child Goldoni was interested in theatre.  An opportunity came to Goldoni when he came in contact with the head comedian of the Venetian theater group, Sam Samuele. It is at this moment that Goldoni abandoned his studies, and moved back to Venice where his writing career started.  Although Goldini is know for his incredible body of work, ranging from tragedies to comedies and from operas to poetry, his major contribution to theatre is the fact that he reformed Commedia dell'arte. During the 17th century, commedia was the theatre everyone watched. It consisted of improvisational dialogue while telling well-known stories, filled with stocked characters. But, by the early 18th century, commedia "degenerated into mere buffoonery...

During my second day at the Carnevale, I attended two events: the play "Arlecchino e Il Capitano Mangabambini" (Harlequin and the Eating-children Captain) and the lecture "Il Mascheraio" (The Mask Maker.) Both events were excellent choices to witness. "Arlecchino e Il Capitano Mangabambini" is a children's play and, true to commedia, it had lots of audience participation, especially by children, who shouted, pointed, and became "cats" at some point.  Campania Lande del Vero The story revolves around Il Capitano who loves eating children while being in love with this beautiful girl who will only love him if he stops eating them. And of course, battling his urge to eat children and not to eat them is where the physical comedy lies. How does Arlechinno come into play, well, he's the narrator, who turns out to be a "she." And she turns out to be the beautiful girl Il Capitano loves. She is dressed as Arlecchino, who happens to be Il...

Compania Teatro Immagine  The first day I saw two shows: "Il Mercante de Venezia" and "Venezia Millenaria." In English: "The Merchant of Venice" and "Millennial Venice." The first play is by Shakespeare but the production was adapted to the Commedia dell'arte style, including Commedia dell'arte characters, and modern language. The show was an hour and 20 minutes long and it contained serious storytelling and some funny bits. The problem with this presentations was that "because it is still Shakespeare," the actors playing the serious roles, were, in fact too serious and spoke very softly. And when you speak softly in an open air space, where thousands of people are walking around, talking, and children are being children, you can't hear much. I was in the second row and had a hard time hearing two of the actors, that made watching this play a challenge.  "Il Mercante di Venezia" is presented by Compagnia Teatro Imm...

One of the main programs at the Carnevale di Venezia 2023 is the VENEZIA OVVERO L'ARTE DELLA COMMEDIA (Venice o el Arte de la Commedia.)  In this program, there are ten different Commedia dell'arte plays being presented in rotation in two different parts of the city: Campo Santo Stefano (St. Stefano Square) and Piazza San Marcos (St. Mark's Square.)  The Posters As soon as I arrived, I obtained a copy of the program and planned my days according to the different presentations so I can see all of them during the festival days. Commedia Stage The plays are presented on the traditional Commedia dell'arte Stage. A simple platform with two small ladders on each side for the actors to enter. A simple curtain at the back of the platform where the actors change costumes, wigs, put masks, etc., while other actors are onstage performing.  All presentations are in the open and free to anyone passing by. Arriving early to get a spot in the front is always a good idea.  All mater...

It's a long flight!     By the time some of you read this entry I will be at the airport. Or maybe I will be on cloud nine, or perhaps I will already be in Venice, trying to recall my rusty Italian language, one I learned long ago but haven't used much.  From the internet When will the next entry be and what will it be about? Not sure. But there will be one soon enough. But first, there will be an adjustment period that includes, culture shock, jet lag, internet issues, weather condition adjustments, language barriers, and many other things I cannot image.  Until then, "Ciao! Pareleremo presto! (We will talk soon!) Ci ricontreremo!" (We will meet again!)  All material and images © copyright carlos-manuel 2023 unless noted