11 Chapter 11: Other Theater Traditions
There are many forms of theater outside of the modern, Western tradition. Here are (only a very few) examples of other theater forms.
As you view the following materials, consider…
- How are they similar to other performances that we have discussed? How are they different?
- What technical areas are represented?
- What is required of the actor?
- Compare the examples below to each other—are there similarities?
- How would you categorize them within the theater/dance/music/visual arts spectrum? Do they emphasize one or more elements over the others?
Example 1: Commedia dell’arte (Italy)
Commedia dell’arte was a popular Renaissance theater form that originated in Italy and that was performed throughout Europe in the 16th–18th centuries. The traveling troupes were skilled practitioners of their art, and audiences were delighted by the shenanigans depicted on stage. In addition to the main story, there might be music, acrobatics, and mime performed as well. Even when the actors performed in a different dialect or language from that of the audience, the theatergoers could still follow the story due to the exaggerated movement, specific stereotype figures, and familiar (if not outrageous) situations in which the characters found themselves.
Characters in the Commedia tradition were straightforward and were not deeply developed; they were “types” that generally fell into one of the following categories: powerful, wealthy old men; the servants; the young lovers; and the clowns/comedic figures. Standard masks and costumes were an important part of identifying the characters and allowed actors to play several roles. Props and backgrounds were simple (like the literal “slapstick”), were improvised, or might even be imaginary.
Do you think that you could captivate an audience? Try your skills as a Commedia player in the game, “Commedia dell’arte: Masks, masters, and servants.”
Even today, we can see the influence of Commedia dell’arte in the slapstick physical comedy of characters like Charlie Chaplin, Jackie Chan, and Mr. Bean; in the situational humor of sit-coms; and in the single-dimensional characters inhabiting many popular cartoons.
Watch
Watch
Suggested Readings:
- Commedia dell’arte (Meagher, Jennifer. “Commedia dell’arte.” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–.) http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/comm/hd_comm.htm (July 2007)
- “What you need to know about Commedia dell’arte” (Hale, Cher. “What You Need to Know about Commedia Dell’Arte.” ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-commedia-dellarte-4040385)
Example 2: Karagöz (Türkiye)
“Karagöz is a form of shadow theatre in Turkey in which figures known as tasvirs made of camel or ox hide in the shape of people or things are held on rods in front of a light source to cast their shadows onto a cotton screen. A play begins with the projection of an introductory figure to set the scene and sugge