What is Commedia?

Commedia is a style of comedic theatre with origins in Renaissance Italy. It can be the short name for commedia dell'arte (in a simple translation from Italian meaning "comedy of the professional artists") and the overall art derived from it, regardless of the actor or troupe's experience, patronage, or tradition. Plus it's easier for non-Italian speakers to understand if less pompous to say!

Commedia's most important element is improvisation. The styles, themes, plots, and characters can be used in a fully written script - and when done is called commedia erudita. Commedia does use memorized speeches and certain comedic stage business called lazzi, but the production should be born out of improvisation. The troupe uses or creates a scenario, a brief outline of the action and situations in each scene, and then the actors find their own way to create the dialogue and action of the play.

The most useful tool in this is the cast of stock characters - also called Masks. Many commedia plays utilize the same characters that have similar personalities, desires, and relationships. An actor can learn how to be his or her character and then know how that character would react to the situations of a new scenario. Most of the characters are an exaggeration or stereotype to the point of farce. Most wore a mask (hence their nickname), often with a ludicrously long nose, big eyebrows, wrinkled forehead, or lumps. Colorful costumes are associated with each part. Combined with the masks, these help the audience to identify who each was the moment they stepped foot on stage.

The use of stock roles also allows the audience to know the personality of each character, having seen them in previous productions. Even when the other Masks in the play do not know another's true intentions, the audience is fully aware. Characters often speak to the audience, sometimes letting them in on their sneaky plans, sometimes lecturing, sometimes flirting, and sometimes even asking for advice. This dramatic irony brings the audience in as part of the show as well as allowing them to feel superior to many of those on stage - as many of the Masks are incredibly stupid and oblivious!

Commedia was originally performed on stages in crowded marketplaces but can be done on the back of wagons or in regular theatre houses. It can also be done in any venue and the closer to the audience the actors can get, the more fun and interactive the performance. Because of its improvised nature, it can adapt to any audience, occasion, or location.