Customer Reviews

Scenarios of the Commedia Dell'Arte: Flaminio Scala's Il Teatro Delle Favole Rappresentative

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"Scenarios of the Commedia Dell'Arte" is a repository of Commedia dell'Arte scenarios (or "canovacci") written by Flaminio Scala in 1611, if my memory is correct. For the serious Commedia student, this resource is essential. It was only released in hardcover, then went out of print. The fact that it is now available again as a budget friendly paperback attests to the growing interest in this form of historical theatre.

The work is translations of the Italian scenarios written by Scala for his troupe, with little commentary or historical information. There's plenty of historical information on staging, masks, costume and what-have-you in other Commedia resources. Buy them at Amazon as well. This book is simply the scenarios, well organized and concise. Want to study scenarios as Commedia actors did in period? This is THE book.

Another personal suggestion: Mel Gordon's "Lazzi" book is another Commedia resource on my "must have" list. Again, it's a listing of comic routines from period Commedia companies, as captured in the companies' surviving zimbaldones. Buy both these excellently priced books and save on the shipping. If you're buying one of these books, you'll want the other, for similar reasons.

the book arrived in a very good condition and it is a very important material of my work as an actress and teacher related to Commedia dell'Arte. Thanks!
Miriam Escurriola Peña
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