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talents of dancer, singer, acrobat, low Shakespeare, in As You Like It (c.1599), Harlequin is another figure of 19th
comedian, mime and pantomime refers to a ‘lean and slippered century English pantomime. He derives
through an agility of body and mind. pantaloon.’ from the character Arlecchino, a
Gesture was also crucial as masks Later Pantaloon became a habitué of prankish man who has reinvented
obscured all facial expression. nineteenth century English pantomime. himself as a smart fellow. He wears
A typical company consisted of Pantalone has an elderly friend patched clothes in decorative diamond
seven men and three women who named Graziano, a Bolognese doctor of patterns.
would continue to perform their law referred to as Il Dottore. Il Dottore The character Pulcinella was
particular character for as long as time both lives and loves to interfere in the transformed into the English
granted them believability. A change of affairs of others. He lingered in the Punchinello and then the puppet Punch
role was necessary when advancing age consciousness long enough to be of Punch and Judy fame. The French
dictated that a young lover should included in Mozart’s The Marriage of also adopted Pulcinella as their
relinquish his heroics and amour. Figaro (1786) and in Rossini’s The Polichinelle.
The companies founded during the Barber of Seville (1816). Il Dottore and The servant Pedrolino became the
16th century had some memorable Pantalone have comic male servants French Pierrot, at first an elegant figure,
titles: I Fedeli (The Faithful), I Desiosi and irascible female housekeepers. but by the 19th century a lonely,
(The Desirous), I Accessi (The lovesick Parisian identity. The English
Inspired) and the most famous in its later adapted him into a jolly,
time - I Gelosi (The Zealous). gregarious character seen in seaside
Some of the contracts that have entertainments.
survived contain clauses that forbid an All of the comedians, and
actor from swearing, or require them to sometimes Colombina, wore masks.
attend Confession. The more renowned Masks sometimes covered the whole
companies invariably restricted their face, sometimes half of the face and
performances to the larger cities, while sometimes, as in the case of
smaller troupes travelled widely. They Arlecchino, Pedrolino and Colombina,
took with them a small, simple stage only the eyes. It seems strange that
and a backdrop curtain. comedians should deny themselves the
Opportunities to perform inside privilege and possibility of facial
permanent theatres were rare. Any expression. However, it was felt that
occasion to take advantage of the removing the focus of attention from
scenery, machinery and effects that the face was conducive to a greater
Serlio and Sabbatini inspired must have stylization and exaggeration of the
been prized. At least one cardinal characters' movements and costume.
prescribed fines or imprisonment for Ornaments
unruly members of the public who So identifiable were the principal
entered the stage, threw objects at the characters that they became popular
performers or made distracting noises. artworks. As early as the 16th century
The Characters the figures appeared in painted
Lovers - innamorati were often decorations, often on glass, set in
integral to the comedy and renowned The Harlequin man marquetry panels on furniture and
for their hapless endeavors to meet and reproduced as porcelain figures, usually
Il Capitano is an outwardly boastful,
marry. They dressed like young people in a group or series.
but in truth cowardly soldier,
of the time and took the names of the Designs initiated by J J Kandler in
reminiscent of Plautus’s Miles
actors and actresses who played them. 1736 at Meissen (near Dresden)
Gloriosus. He usually bestows upon
The heroine was invariably influenced those produced elsewhere.
himself an exaggerated, self-serving
accompanied by a maid or confidante Probably the most elegant of the
title such as Matamoro, meaning Death
named Rosetta or Colombina. English porcelain series came from F A Bustelli
to the Moors. From his first-known
pantomime adapted Colombina where at Nymphenburg (near Munich)
appearance in 1520 he is portrayed as
she became the mischief-maker between 1754 and 1763.
unmistakably Spanish. The zanni
Columbine. In France the same
expose Il Capitano’s dishonesty with
Colombina becomes the soubrette - a
much delight. They mock him, trip him
coquettish young woman in musical
up and establish that his espoused valor
comedies.
is false. He is presented to the audience
The heroine’s father was usually an
with exaggerated features, most notably
amorous old curmudgeon named
a long crooked nose and an oversized
Pantalone - a money conscious
moustache. Perhaps his physical
Venetian. The character captured the
portrayal and the undignified treatment
imagination of both Moliere and
Il Capitano receives reveal what
Shakespeare. Moliere portrayed him as
Renaissance Italians really thought of
Harpagon in The Miser (1668).
their Spanish overlords.
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