Commedia dell ‘Arte workshops

Commedia dell ‘Arte is an Italian acting technique involving mask and clown work. It is the basis for so many comic theatre forms: pantomime, farce, slap-stick, musical comedy. Where did Shakespeare, Mollier and Gilbert and Sullivan get many of their ideas? From the original scenarios of Commedia dell ‘Arte.

As it was mostly improvised, very few original scripts of the Commedia form still survive, but the scenarios and the characters live on: Harlequin (Arlechino) the servant, and his lover Columbine; the old miser Pantalone (it’s where the word ‘pants’ comes from); the bumbling fool of a Doctor; the lovers; and the very vain but terrified Captain. Just take a look at the television show Gilligan’s Island and every Commedia character is there.

In 1998, with the aid of a grant from Arts WA, Don studied Italian comic acting with Antonio Fava at his school in Reggio Emelia, Italy. Since returning he has taught comic acting workshops and Commedia dell ‘Arte at: The Western Australian Academy Of performing Arts; Presbyterian Ladies College; John Septimus Roe Anglican College; Mount Lawley High School; and the Deaf Society of WA

In 2001 Don teamed up with five WA performers to create a group devised piece called Tiny Town, a series of modern satirical scenes based on the work he did in Italy.

In 2002 Don was a visiting tutor at the Western Australian Acadamy of Performing Arts, where he ran full term programs in Commedia dell ‘Arte. Student response was overwhlemingly enthusiastic and appreciative.

Workshops 'r us

Comic Acting and Commedia dell ‘Arte workshops can be for any age and any people, regardless of language, culture or physical impairment. In order to really get the best out of Don’s work it is advised that several weeks or even a whole school term would be best to allow the students to really explore the work. Mask-making, slap-stick, comic timing, direct communication, status work, stage balancing, mime, and stage fighting are just some of the skills students learn in Don’s workshops.