Masks Play III: Return of the Masks
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Our Masks Plays have been such a hits, we're cashing in on the thirst for sequels!
Be sure to come see all the new characters and scenes. If you enjoyed Masks Play! and Masks Play! II - Keep Playing, you won't want to miss Masks Play! III - Return of the Masks!
Masks Play III is a devised play - a collaboratively created new work that begins without a script.
Everything you will see and hear was created by the company (except for a couple of songs).
But we had a deep, historical foundation to begin our exploration: the classic masks of Commedia dell ‘Arte.
Each mask represents a stock, archetypal character, with a unique physicality that has been in our storytelling since the early Italian commedia troupes of the mid-1500s to today. Commedia is low-comedy for the common people, traditionally performed in streets and markets, versus high-comedy for the aristocracy, traditionally performed in the court theaters.
We’ll share timeless characters with you: Pantalone/a, the old, rich and miserly folks on top of the hierarchy; Dottore, the quack doctor/philosopher who spouts nonsense; Capitano/a, the braggart, yet cowardly, soldier; Pulcinella, the mean, pessimistic trickster servant; Brighella, the hard-working head servant; Columbina and Arlecchino, the fun-loving, food-craving younger servants; and finally the Young Lovers, the only unmasked characters who love being in love and the idea of love itself.
We also play with a series of contemporary commedia masks, allowing the players to create unique characters based on physicality and vocality of their invention.
Finally, we incorporate the Six Basic Emotions Masks: joy, sadness, anger, surprise, disgust, and fear. These nonverbal masks encourage physical specificity and invite the audience to make meaning with the players.
Our production consists of a series of short canovaccios, skits if you will, and lasts approximately 75-minutes. As the word commedia implies, these are (mostly) comic scenes played through impro, a classic style of improvisation. The players have devised basic plot lines for each sketch, but how they move from A to B to Z (what they say and do) is based on direct audience interaction - so get ready to laugh and play!
Photo by Sattva Photo
Be sure to come see all the new characters and scenes. If you enjoyed Masks Play! and Masks Play! II - Keep Playing, you won't want to miss Masks Play! III - Return of the Masks!
Masks Play III is a devised play - a collaboratively created new work that begins without a script.
Everything you will see and hear was created by the company (except for a couple of songs).
But we had a deep, historical foundation to begin our exploration: the classic masks of Commedia dell ‘Arte.
Each mask represents a stock, archetypal character, with a unique physicality that has been in our storytelling since the early Italian commedia troupes of the mid-1500s to today. Commedia is low-comedy for the common people, traditionally performed in streets and markets, versus high-comedy for the aristocracy, traditionally performed in the court theaters.
We’ll share timeless characters with you: Pantalone/a, the old, rich and miserly folks on top of the hierarchy; Dottore, the quack doctor/philosopher who spouts nonsense; Capitano/a, the braggart, yet cowardly, soldier; Pulcinella, the mean, pessimistic trickster servant; Brighella, the hard-working head servant; Columbina and Arlecchino, the fun-loving, food-craving younger servants; and finally the Young Lovers, the only unmasked characters who love being in love and the idea of love itself.
We also play with a series of contemporary commedia masks, allowing the players to create unique characters based on physicality and vocality of their invention.
Finally, we incorporate the Six Basic Emotions Masks: joy, sadness, anger, surprise, disgust, and fear. These nonverbal masks encourage physical specificity and invite the audience to make meaning with the players.
Our production consists of a series of short canovaccios, skits if you will, and lasts approximately 75-minutes. As the word commedia implies, these are (mostly) comic scenes played through impro, a classic style of improvisation. The players have devised basic plot lines for each sketch, but how they move from A to B to Z (what they say and do) is based on direct audience interaction - so get ready to laugh and play!
Photo by Sattva Photo
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Where is it happening?
Performing Arts Center Western Washington University, 467 High St, Bellingham, WA 98225, United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherWWU Theatre Arts
