Commedia dell'Arte Links

THURSDAY

2010-02-22T07:52:00.003-08:00

Click on the title of this post to learn all about International Commedia dell'Arte day and the NYC performances to celebrate!

Feb 25, 2010

2010-01-30T08:49:00.000-08:00

February 25, 2010 is Commedia dell'Arte Day. Spread the word and do good work. I'll keep you posted on what I'm up to. But I'm also having a baby soon, so it may just be that.

Piccolo Teatro's Accademia Commedia

2010-01-26T11:27:00.001-08:00

"The Low Down on Commedia dell'Arte"

2010-01-26T11:23:00.001-08:00

Love of 3 Oranges--High School Students

2010-01-26T11:20:00.000-08:00

They're getting the laughs!

Great Performer Photos

2009-11-22T08:30:00.001-08:00

SO, there's another blog out there called badmagicphotos.blogspot.com

It has caused some controversy among my peer group and beyond.

SO I decided to make another blog called Great Performer Photos. The point of this blog is to offer great photography, helpful hints and provide links and tools to get great photos yourself.

You can click on the title of this post to be taken there.

And comment on what you see! I don't know much about photography, but I know what I like. You can suggest pix to me, etc. Help me create a beautiful thing here.

Thanks,

Brian

Commedia Clown dot com

2009-11-12T09:42:00.001-08:00

The Onion

2009-11-01T23:04:00.001-08:00

Fabrizio Paladin

2009-10-28T07:33:00.000-07:00

Okay, Brian, what do YOU find funny?

2009-10-27T15:59:00.000-07:00

I think this is funny.

The Finale of a Commedia Show directed by Antonio Fava

2009-10-27T15:45:00.000-07:00

La Famiglia Truonna Che Si Fa La Foto. Directed by Antonio Fava. Expensive masks. Production value. Fancy Thee-ater. Count the laughs. I'm not sayin'...I'm just sayin'.

One of my clown teachers, Barry Lubin, best known as 'Grandma' from the Big Apple Circus put it this way:

"If you go out there and can make just one child, just ONE CHILD laugh...you're not doing your job. They're ALL supposed to be laughing."

Commedia from Spain

2009-10-27T15:33:00.000-07:00

Listen carefully. What's that I hear? Laughs, my friend. Laughs. When was the last time I posted a Commedia video where you could hear the audience laughing? It's been way, way, way too long. Makes me want to post more clown videos. God bless these people.

Alfredo Iriarte

2009-10-26T09:58:00.000-07:00

Click on the title of this post to link to Alfredo Iriarte's site.

Alfredo is an Argentina-based mask-maker, puppet-builder and overall Renaissance man. I found the Teatro Agricolo link on his site as well.

Thanks to Esteban S for suggesting Iriarte's site.

Teatro Agricolo

2009-10-26T09:54:00.000-07:00

Videos of their show: ROGO

Khmer Mask Theatre

2009-10-24T10:21:00.001-07:00

Making a Leather Mask videos

2009-10-24T10:03:00.000-07:00

The VERY basic steps to create a VERY simple leather mask.

Mask Makers

2009-10-24T09:49:00.000-07:00

Two talented artists from Los Angeles deserve mention today:

Allysa Ravenwood can be found at both www.alyssaravenwood.com and www.ravenwoodmasks.com

I have been aware of Ms. Ravenwood for some time, and it is a tremendous pleasure to watch from afar as her work develops and evolves.

John Apicella can be found here: http://www.bubalaires.com/APICELLAMASKS/index.html

I just found Mr. Apicella's website this morning, and it seems that what excites him excites me as well.

I'm so happy that there are kindred spirits out there, finding their own niche in this big, wonderful world of Commedia dell'Arte.

A Commedia Love Song

2009-10-22T10:58:00.000-07:00

It's too wide for the blog settings (not sure how to fix that) so click on the title to be taken to the youtube page where you can see it in its widescreen entirety. It looks good in HD too.

Acrobuffos in NY Times

2009-10-22T08:07:00.001-07:00

http://www.clownlink.com/2009/07/clowns-in-style-ny-times-article-about.html

It's old news, but you can still link to the wonderful NY Times Real Estate article on Seth Bloom and Christina Gelsone (The Acrobuffos) via Adam Gertsacov's Clownlink blog.

I'm back!

2009-10-21T13:49:00.001-07:00

After more than a month away (traveling, performing, around the country, around the world) I'm back to fill the blog with new videos and inspiration.

One of the first jobs I had upon returning from China was to do a Commedia workshop for a high-school drama class up in Connecticut. They are performing the Goldoni Servant of Two Masters, and wanted an intensive character, styles, skills and primarily "ENERGY" workshop.

The kids were very talented and dedicated, even though I don't remember needing coffee that badly when I was 15...

I contrast them to my last class before the China trip; a day at NYU. My last time at NYU was tremendous. Didn't quite live up this year. Certainly, my own energy was off, but I was still present enough to get some games going and some lazzi running on their own...it's hard to get much happening in an isolated 3-hour block. I do as much as I can, but I'm always a little disappointed in myself as a teacher when I don't get 'magic' results every time.

Having to break down the characters, rhythms, and lazzi to their basic elements when introducing these concepts to teens is always a tremendous learning experience for me. I love how every group is different, how they have different strengths, weaknesses, needs and physical vernaculars. My own understanding of all of these concepts deepens exponentially with every class I teach.

I absolutely LOVE it, and I just wish I could do it more regularly. I have tremendous faith in Commedia training as a foundation for stage actors...and I know if you're reading this here, I'm preaching to the choir.

Thanks for being here, thanks for listening, and if you're reading, let me know.

Brian@BrianFoley.net

Three Videos to Enjoy!

2009-10-21T13:40:00.000-07:00

Click on each video to go to its own Youtube page. There you will find more info about each specific project and company.

Dario Fo

2009-10-21T13:34:00.000-07:00

a MASTER communicator.

Not Commedia...but it's me.

2009-10-21T13:30:00.001-07:00

A brief musical piece performed by Brian Foley (me) and Matthew Duncan as the characters "Otto & Lewis". October 19, 2009, New York Downtown Clown Revue, NYC.

Here is where we stole it from.

Jigalov and Konti in the lazzo of the hunter

2009-10-21T13:24:00.000-07:00

A very nice version of the hunter and prey. For CDA purposes I would probably give the ending more of a classic 'blow off' feel, and end less in agreement. Funny violence never hurt the commedia.

Here is more Jigalov, the rabbit in the piece above. Status and relationship, status and relationship. Make it your mantra.

Commedia Puppets

2009-10-21T13:22:00.001-07:00

Cirque du Soleil music and hands up the rears of Commedia characters.

Institute del Teatre de Barcelone

2009-10-21T13:20:00.000-07:00

A slideshow of Assun Planas' 2008 summer class in Barcelona.

Music and Dance in Avignon

2009-09-04T07:06:00.000-07:00

scène de la princesse d'Elide lors de la soirée comédia del arte au festival d'Avignon 2007 ce comedien a un talent...FOU !
scène de la princesse d'Elide lors de la soirée comédia del arte au festival d'Avignon 2007
ce comedien a un talent...FOU !

Circo Zanni

2009-08-26T18:48:00.001-07:00

What does Commedia dell'Arte have to do with a ShamWOW?

Beats me. But I manage to make the connection in my show. And it makes people laugh.

Claudia Contin. I'm in love.

2009-08-26T18:42:00.000-07:00

99 Fatiche di Arlecchino

2009-08-26T18:37:00.001-07:00

Cristina Coltelli

Amori Medici e Ciarlatani

2009-08-26T18:33:00.000-07:00

Compagnia Teatrale
Lo Stivalaccio

Puppets!

2009-08-26T18:32:00.001-07:00

Circo Zanni

2009-08-25T18:54:00.001-07:00

Website done. Phew.

Servidor de dos patrones

2009-08-19T15:06:00.000-07:00

In Defense of Commedia dell'Arte by Jeff Wills

2009-08-10T06:20:00.001-07:00

http://jeffwills.blogspot.com/2009/08/in-defense-of-la-commedia-dellarte.html

Some new thoughts by kindred spirit Jeff.

Teatro Punto

2009-08-07T08:08:00.000-07:00

I saw Carlos Garcia Estevez's show "Solo dell'Arte" last night in NYC, presented by The Internationalists.

Carlos and Katrien van Beurden are the 'co-artistic leaders' of Teatro Punto, founded in Amsterdam, now based in Madrid.

It is impossible to ignore Carlos' gifts as a physical actor, and from my own perspective he is a lucky bastard to have that which so far eludes me: the European vernacular in his physical vocabulary. In the lengthy lecture with which he begins his show his charm and sense of humor are on display. He certainly has all the skills required to perform a wonderful Commedia demonstration.

So the expectations are high when he picks up the first mask. His modern take on the characters is inspired, he tells us, by such material as poems by Lorca, etc. His Pantalone is an engaging Spaniard named Manuel, who recounts a tale of a love long lost. Then we go back in time and watch a younger, more virile Manuel (in a Capitano mask) drink himself silly and essentially ravage a beautiful woman with sweat and drool flying. I was looking for a moment of consent, but in the flurry of action it either got lost or wasn't present.

So the first story is about rape.

The second story, recounts pizza delivery boy Lolo's (Tartaglia) love for the unattainable stripper Lola (Carnival mask of a woman). Lola falls to her death while sitting on her balcony smoking a cigarette. Lolo is left alone, crying for the police or any help at all.

This begins to become unsettling. Until you read this in his bio: "He began research into the tragic depth that exists in Commedia dell'Arte..."

The final story is a Puncinella's tale of drunken debauchery, too busy in movement to recount in detail.

Each of these tales ends the same way: the audience, shocked into silence by what it has seen is taking a moment to process. Carlos removes the mask and stands smugly requiring our applause for what has, undoubtedly been a bravura physical performance.

In his opening lecture, Carlos gives lip service to complicity, but little was on display. Manuel was the only character that was able to penetrate and connect with the audience. And he had the shortest amount of stage time, for what it's worth.

Serio-comic, ultimately tragic mask work is great. Commedia, it ain't. Commedia turns the bawdy, the raw, disgusting, nasty humanity into comic moments of complicity. Commedia ends on a laugh. Commedia is shocking by what we dare to laugh at.

It seems as if Carlos is setting himself up to be the next generation's Commedia guru. He's got the chops, but I think his artistic interests may be at odds with that goal. I would love to see him do some masked comedy with the skills he's worked hard to acquire.

Aruba

2009-08-06T08:23:00.001-07:00

This picture is from a few years ago...it's the exterior wall of an Italian restaurant in Aruba.

Comedy of Errors with the FKB, Avner, Etc.

2009-08-05T09:33:00.000-07:00

Performance International: Commedia Comedy of Errors

2009-07-27T12:26:00.001-07:00

Commedia Hamlet

2009-07-27T12:24:00.000-07:00

Commedia R&J, High School Students

2009-07-27T12:23:00.000-07:00

Bill Ball discussing ACT

2009-07-27T12:22:00.001-07:00

More ACT Shrew.

2009-07-27T12:21:00.001-07:00

Saw this in 1990 (on VHS)...1976 ACT production of Shrew. Changed my life.

2009-07-27T12:14:00.001-07:00

La Compagnia dei Guasconi: Le maschere del Pantalone in abruzzese

2009-07-27T12:05:00.000-07:00

Amori Medici e Ciarlatani

2009-07-27T12:03:00.001-07:00

Mirko the magician. For inspiration.

2009-07-27T11:54:00.000-07:00

Circo Zanni fun and lazzi

2009-07-18T22:09:00.000-07:00

Crazy as Capitano!

2009-07-18T22:02:00.000-07:00

Il gobbo di Rialto

2009-07-18T21:54:00.000-07:00

I burattini della commedia dell'arte di Moreno Pigoni

2009-07-18T21:53:00.000-07:00

High Button Shoes; Keystone Kops Ballet from Jerome Robbins' Broadway.

2009-02-22T11:40:00.000-08:00

I saw this in 1989. Changed my entire life.

Freres Jacques

2009-01-30T11:34:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T6gDEn5kKM

Follow the link above to watch a video of Mark Olsen portraying Jacques Lecoq, demonstrating expressive masks.

Julie Taymor

2009-01-30T11:00:00.001-08:00

Rehearsal at Ecole Jacques Lecoq

2009-01-30T10:58:00.001-08:00

Fava in Performance.

2009-01-30T10:54:00.001-08:00

I leave it to you.

Evgueni Pimonenko

2009-01-28T07:03:00.000-08:00

A letter to Arlecchino

2009-01-28T06:58:00.000-08:00

You know, I try to be supportive of everyone's efforts...but sometimes...it's just difficult.

More from Munich!

2009-01-28T06:57:00.001-08:00

Clown Combat from Kyrgistan

2009-01-23T10:26:00.000-08:00

There are definitely some ideas here worthy of exploring further in a comedy fight. But a clearer relationship between characters, knowing who is higher or lower in status, and definitely moments to share the pain or victory with the audience will help take this out of the realm of a narrative acrobatic display and into a comedic scene.

A school production

2009-01-18T18:18:00.001-08:00

More Combine!

2009-01-18T18:14:00.000-08:00

July 23, 2008 I posted a video of Marc Favreau's play La Combine de Columbine. Here is another production, this time directed by Eric Gaudreau. Theatre du Bahut, France.

International School of Prague

2009-01-17T06:39:00.000-08:00

The whole play is up on youtube, just follow this link:

http://www.youtube.com/user/tnaave2

Is it bad that I enjoy this?

2009-01-17T06:37:00.001-08:00

University New Hampshire

2009-01-17T06:35:00.001-08:00

Soleri et al in Moscow

2009-01-17T06:30:00.000-08:00

What's up with the posts?

2009-01-08T14:02:00.001-08:00

So, out of the 4 new posts below, 3 of them are not in the 'classic' commedia dell'arte aesthetic.

But I've been getting back into the purity of the heart of the commedia; it's impulse. And that's what I'm trying to include as I find more links to share here on the blog.

Happy belated new year to all.

-Brian

La Nouba clown

2009-01-08T14:00:00.001-08:00

A great partnership of clown and musician, especially when you know that Sergeui Chachelev is a hearing-impaired performer. This brief piece with two chairs got a very large reaction when I saw La Nouba.

Alegria Clowns

2009-01-08T13:56:00.001-08:00

Good clown theatre from soleil/slava

Teatro del Lazzi

2009-01-08T13:52:00.001-08:00

Anuncio de la Obra Nueva Familia interpretada por los componentes del Teatro del Lazzi que tendrá lugar el 31 de Octubre de 2008 en Antequera (Teatro Torcal)

Stilt Dance

2009-01-08T13:48:00.000-08:00

Martin Ewen. Lurk. Fascinating in makeup up in the air; even more so hanging out in the dressing room.

The Brothers Marx

2008-12-10T08:26:00.000-08:00

The Mirror Gag

Great Comedy

2008-12-03T14:56:00.000-08:00

The BeeKeepers

2008-12-02T06:21:00.000-08:00

Who are the BeeKeepers?

Well, they design games, interpret history and create unique events. In Britain.

And somebody there named Tim is quite the gentleman.

And they are running a workshop that looks fascinating.

Link is here:

http://thebeekeepers.com/2008/12/01/mastering-the-art-of-commedia-mastering-the-art-of-performance/#more-30

It's always nice to find a kindred spirit.

Lots of New Stuff

2008-11-26T08:03:00.000-08:00

I'm finding lots of new video to post these days, the quality of which is a mixed bag.

But for the sake of completeness, it's all going to end up here eventually.

If you're reading any of this, or finding any of this helpful, please let me know.

I'll continue to do it, though, mostly as an archive for my own brain...

Arnold Sandhaus Commedia Impressions

2008-11-26T08:02:00.001-08:00

3 posts of people trying their best

2008-11-26T07:46:00.000-08:00

So, the work below is experimental, it is earnest and it deserves support.

That's all I really want to say about it.

-B

Commedia dell' FEMA

2008-11-26T07:45:00.001-08:00

Prometheant Theatre Ensemble Presents The Light of Love, a dazzing Commedia romp.

Sonoma State University

2008-11-26T07:43:00.000-08:00

An in-class rehearsal

Maxei School CDA

2008-11-26T07:42:00.001-08:00

Performance of scene 1 from a short Commedia dell'arte play in English, as performed by Maxei school secondary students (Grades 7, 8 & 9)

CDA R&J by Canadian H.S. Students

2008-11-24T19:25:00.000-08:00

High School Commedia performers do a CDA R&J

Windsor Ontario interview with Brennan High School students Erin Mailloux, Cydnie Kalkhourst, and Trevor Bowman. Performing R & J, a commedia dell'arte based version of Romeo and Juliet. Commedia dell'arte translates to comedy of art and is an improv style of drama made popular in 14th to 15th century Italy.

Pagliacci, Commedia Dell'Arte -- John Tsotsoros and Virginia Herrera

2008-11-24T19:23:00.000-08:00

Pagliacci
New Jersey Verismo
Conductor Anthony Morss
Director Evelyn La Quaif

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

2008-11-24T17:58:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's another non-CDA post. However, it's where my mind has been lately. The original film is on Google video to be watched in its entirety. Expressionism as an outlet for artists' angst. How can you go wrong?

Puppets!

2008-11-23T09:05:00.001-08:00

Been doing some puppetry research lately...have come across a whole lot of EXTREMELY talented folks.

Jarrod Boutcher is one of those folks. Check out his blog as well.

jbpuppets.blogspot.com

MONKEYS!!!!!

2008-11-18T15:07:00.001-08:00

Scaramouche the Musical

2008-11-18T14:02:00.000-08:00

Scaramouche the Musical

Book, Music and Lyrics by Stephen Lanigan-O'Keeffe

Directed by Paola Cavallin

Commedia Gabrieliana

2008-11-17T12:13:00.000-08:00

"Commedia Gabrieliana" onde um ator interpreta varios personagens da "Commedia dell'arte" Escola Inter. de Ator Comico. Com o ator Leonardo Pancione - Modena/Italia.

39 Steps rehearsals

2008-11-17T12:10:00.000-08:00

The rehearsal process of remounting the production for America.

The 39 Steps on Broadway

2008-11-17T12:08:00.000-08:00

Now running on Broadway at The Cort Theatre.
www.39stepsonbroadway.com

This is what the inside of my head looks like.

Balinese Maskmaker demos his creations

2008-07-23T13:19:00.000-07:00

I Wayan Muka (BR Batan Ancak in Mas neara Ubud) demonstrates how masks he carved from hibiscus wood would be used in a performance.

Le Mystere Bouffe

2008-07-23T04:43:00.000-07:00

The Commedia Training post below was made when I was very sleepy, and apparently blind, because there was contact info at the end of the video in the post.

The training is by Gilbert Bourebia, from le Mystere Bouffe company in France.

mysterebouffe.com has a bunch of fun stuff. Enjoy!

I Due Impostori

2008-07-23T04:42:00.001-07:00

Teatro le forche and Tsiritsantsoules presents "The two swindlers". Performance based on the technic of Commedia Dell' Arte. Director Carlo Formigoni. Capitano, Pantalone, Arlecchino, Pulcinella, Colombina meet each other in this crazy commedy.

La Combine de Colombine

2008-07-23T04:36:00.000-07:00

Bande-annonce du spectacle de la Cie Ucorne, d'après l'oeuvre de Marc Favreau, dans une mise en scène de Eric Fauveau. (www.lacombinedecolombine.com)

From a script by Marc Favreau, adapted and directed by Eric Fauveau.

Man On Wire: Philippe Petit

2008-07-22T14:34:00.000-07:00

Check it out.

Commedia Training

2008-07-01T11:55:00.001-07:00

I'm down in Kentucky teaching circus skills at a theater program for high-school aged students...all of whom are fantastic and talented, btw, (just in case they read this), so I thought I would add a video of some training (not where I am, or specifically what I am doing this week...someone else, somewhere else.)...I'm tired...but enjoy. Yay learning!

Not sure who this is...

2008-07-01T11:53:00.000-07:00

Festival de Ceyzérieu (France) le 5/8/2007.

La Giostra de le Ombre

2008-06-24T13:15:00.000-07:00

La Bottega de le Ombre presenta:"La Giostra de le Ombre" spettacolo comico della commedia dell'arte is Sante Latini
just a small clip

Gianni Lamagna & Pino De Vittorio - Cicerenella

2008-06-24T13:12:00.000-07:00

This is fascinating. Estratto dallo spettacolo del Maestro De Simone Le 99 disgrazie di Pulcinella

Okay...this is the last non-Commedia post for a while.

2008-06-24T13:00:00.000-07:00

I can't embed the video for some reason, but click the title of the post to go to the page where the video is: it's here:
http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/nakheel/33710/

This is the gig I was on last night...Donald and Ivanka Trump, Naomi Watts, Demi Moore, Heidi Klum...and us: a bunch of stilt-walking palm trees for David Monn, the event planner/designer. Yeah, Dubai! Road trip, anyone?

BTW: Ivanka Trump is inhumanly beautiful. I mean that literally. Everything is so perfect, it's beyond the realm of human comprehension. But Naomi Watts is just right, IMHO.

You can see us in the video just after the celebrities...

SLAPSTICK

2008-06-23T06:17:00.003-07:00

Wonderful stuff here, that was introduced to me via Pat Cashin's blog Clown Alley.