1. Popular
Entertainment

2. Popular Entertainment
Characteristics (mostly):
for the “masses”
often cheaper and more accessible
often non-scripted
historically not considered “worthy of study”

3. Roman Paratheatricals
(27 BCE to 400 CE)
chariot racing
gladiatorial
combats
naumachia

4. Roman Venues
Colosseum– holds 50,000 -70,000

5. Roman Venues
Circus Maximus – holds 200,000

6. Modern Versions of
Roman Paratheatricals
Sports Entertainment (pro wrestling)
NASCAR

7. Commedia dell „arte
(1560s-1700)
Scenario
Improv and lazzi
Stock characters
unmasked: young lovers
masked: zanni and masters

8. Commedia Dell’Arte
Typical Commedia
10 Performers = 7 men + 3
women
Traveling troupes
Evolved from Greek &
Roman mimes
Storylines copied from
Terence & Plautus
Usually comedies, but
occasionally a serious
drama
Not literary form –
improvised
Scenarios = short outlined
scripts with no dialogue

9. Conventions of
Commedia Dell’Arte
Stock Characters
Pantalone – lecherous
miser
Dottore – foolish
neighbor
Capitano –cowardly
soldier
Zanni – servant, usually
sly or foolish
Harlequin – comic
servant

10. Conventions of
Commedia Dell’Arte
Scenarios
Serious young lovers
whose romance is
blocked by Pantalone &
Dottore
Troupes adept at
creating comic improv
Lazzi – repeated bits of
physical comedy
Conventional entrance
& exit speeches
Prepared musical duets

11. Conventions of
Commedia Dell’Arte
Costumes
Traditional Costume
assigned to each character
Easily recognizable
Harlequin – patchwork
jacket
Dottore – academic robes
Exaggerated details
Slapstick -Harlequin
Masks
Created characters
Never worn by young
lovers

12. Circus
(1700 to the present)
Originally
focus: animals
Cirque du Soleil
focus: people and spectacle

13. Vaudeville
(late 1800s to present)
Precursor to musical theatre
Diversity or “variety theatre”
Tavern/Music Hall
Influence on early
film, radio, and popular
music

14. Puppetry
(pre-history to present)
Shadow Puppetry
Hand Puppets/Dolls
Body Puppets
Contemporary Puppetry

15. Magic
(pre-history to present)
Illusionism/tricks in History
Slight of Hand
Mechanical Tricks
Large Scale Illusions
Escape Challenge Tricks