Commedia Dell'Arte: A Handbook for Troupes [Paperback]

Olly Crick (Author), John Rudin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 31, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0415204097 | ISBN-13: 978-0415204095

A companion to John Rudlin's best-selling Commedia dell'Arte: A Handbook for Actors, this book covers both the history and professional practice of commedia dell'arte companies from 1568 to the present day. Indispensable for both the beginner and the professional, it contains historical and contemporary company case histories, details on company organisation, and tips on practical stagecraft.
Essential for students and practitioners, this book enables the reader to understand how successful commedia dell'arte companies function, and how we can learn from past and current practice to create a lively and dynamic form of theatre.
Includes tips on:
* writing a scenario
* mask-making
* building a stage
* designing a backdrop
* costume
* music.
_

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This title and its companion, Rudlin's 1994 Commedia dell'Arte: An Actor's Handbook, give the reader a thorough overview of this wonderful theatrical art form. Both Rudlin and Crick have directed and/or performed commedia dell'arte, and they bring historical, theoretical, and practical perspectives to the text. Their research brings together information on the internationally renowned troupes from 1568 to 1622, the so-called golden age of improvisation before the art form became more solidly text-based. As interesting as the historical material is the information on contemporary 20th-century commedia dell'arte troupes who perform in English, including one in this reviewer's own state of Texas. Anyone interested in starting a troupe will learn much from these case studies and histories as the historical material is enriched with practical advice on performance, creating sets and costumes, and forming and training a company. Rudlin and Crick devote an entire chapter to the creation of the ever-important mask, and another extremely helpful chapter teaches the various aspects of script and scene creation. Songs, dances, and costume patterns are also included. Highly recommended for academic and public libraries. Susan L. Peters, Univ. of Texas, Galveston
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Like the earlier book this should appeal to both scholars and practitioners. It will provide a nice bridge between the historical reconstruction and commedia in the past, and its historical reinvention in the present.
–Phillip B. Zarrilli, University of Surrey

Commedia dell'Arte: An Actor's Handbook [is] the most important thing available to student groups [and] to theatrical practitioners. I can see no reasons why this book should be any less valuable..
–Peter Thomson, University of Exeter

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Routledge (May 31, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415204097
• ISBN-13: 978-0415204095
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #184,469 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good resource, May 25, 2004

By 

Bethanie Frank "book dreamer" (Coffeyville, KS United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Commedia Dell'Arte: A Handbook for Troupes (Paperback)

Personally, I found the historical aspect of this book the most appealing. The actual "how to" part of the book could easily be made into a seperate book itself. Great information, and I respect Mr. Rudlin. I've read most everything he's written and have thoroughly enjoyed learned about this wonderful art.