Days of Commedia dell’Arte brings carnival back in late February with masks, costumes and tomfoolery – it’s party time!
Before the era of sitcoms and stand-up routines, audiences were entertained by commedia dell’arte, whose origins date back to the 16th century. Comédie des masques or commedia all’improvviso had their roots in the traditions of Greek mimes, Roman pantomimes and Mediaeval court jesters, and they were largely based on free improvisation. Actors dressed up in leather masks and distinctive attire presented amusing gags – known in Italian as lazzi – showing off their tricks requiring considerable physical skills. “Commedia dell’arte lives on, and it can be created, watched and loved by anyone”, declare the organisers of eighth Days of Commedia dell’Arte.
Evviva la commedia!
Although commedia dell’arte dates back a long time (it was invented in Italy five centuries ago), it’s also extremely topical and as relevant as it’s ever been. Masks and the distinctive movements, gestures and protagonists say more about human nature than many contemporary plays. One proof of the popularity of commedia dell’arte is its international festival (25 February), celebrated each year by Studio Dono in Kraków.
The guest of the 8th Days of Commedia dell’Arte (25 February – 4 March) will be the La Paranza del Geco artistic ensemble, presenting the spectacle Mr. Tannunzio & His Orchestra! at the Italian Cultural Institute. The main protagonist is at once a medic, huckster, charlatan and musician: he peddles spurious elixirs and panaceas, and composes bawdy serenades for beautiful ladies. Amusing protagonists, fast-moving action and classic quid pro quo situations appear in Trupa Komedianty’s spectacle Oberża pod złamanym groszem, premiering at Praska 52 Theatre. The two ensembles, specialising in commedia dell’arte, come together to perform Evviva la commedia!, full of stage improvisations and classic Italian lazzi and accompanied by traditional live Italian music. The event also features theatre and music workshops and lectures in Italian and English introducing music and customs of southern Italy.
(Justyna Skalska, "Karnet" magazine)
25 February 2017, 11am
Mr. Tannunzio & His Orchestra!, La Paranza del Geco
Włoski Instytut Kultury
Admission free
25 February 2017, 7pm
Oberża pod złamanym groszem, premiera! Trupa Komedianty
Teatr Praska 52
26 February 2017, 7pm
Oberża pod złamanym groszem, Trupa Komedianty
Teatr Praska 52
Tickets: 30/15 PLN
27 February – 01 March 2017, 6pm – 9pm
Workshops: tradycyjna komedia dell’arte w tańcu i muzyce
Teatr Praska 52
02 March 2017, 7pm
Evviva la commedia!, La Paranza Del Geco & Trupa Komedianty
Teatr Praska 52
Tickets: 30/15 PLN
03 March 2017, 11:30am – 2pm
Il fenomeno del tarantismo - in English and Italy Simone Campa / La Paranza del Geco
Uniwersytet Pedagogiczny
Admission free
03 March 2017, 7pm
Oberża pod złamanym groszem, Trupa Komedianty
Teatr Praska 52
Tickets: 30/15 PLN
04 March 2017, 19.00
Oberża pod złamanym groszem, Trupa Komedianty
Teatr Praska 52
Bilety 30/15 PLN
