For G 11 DP Theatre students, 10min Commedia dell'Arte performance and PPP are given as in replacement for the Final Exam. So today I read a script to determine whether it would be good for the 10min performance of 4 people in our class! This is the script that I was given.
THE PHANTOM FATHER
Scene: Garden exterior
of Pantalone's house
CAST
Pantalone, a miserly old man
Arlecchino, his servant
Isabella, his daughter
Lelio; in love with Isabella
II Dottore
Mistress Hookbeak, Notary
Scene:
the garden of Pantalone's house. There is an "entrance" to the house,
and one into the garden from the street. Pantalone, Arlecchino, and Isabella
are heard from inside the house.
PANTALONE:
Owww! Ouch! Careful, you idiot, you're hurting me!
ARLECCHINO:
Lean on me, Signore.
ISABELLA:
Lean on me, father.
PANTALONE:
Oww, owww, oww... gently, gently... oh my head!
They come
out of the house, Pantalone supported by the other two. He wears a big bandage
covering his head, and walks painfully. Isabella carries his walking stick.
ARLECCHINO:
Some fresh air will do you good, Signore.
ISABELLA:
Yes, father, it will put you on your feet. (They help him walk)
PANTALONE:
Ohhh, how I'm suffering! My hea-ea-ea-d . . .
ISABELLA:
There, now, a turn around the garden . . .
ARLECCHINO:
How did it happen, Signore?
PANTALONE:
Ohh. . . I don't remember. . . I was going down into the cellar, when...
ISABELLA:
But father, at your age! You know those stairs are very difficult!
PANTALONE:
"At my age!" Do you think I'm any less fit than I was as a young man?
ARLECCHINO:
Of course not, Signore, but after all, it's been a long time since you were a
young man-half a century or more.,
ISABELLA:
But how did you come to fall, Father?
ARLECCHINO:
Did your foot slip?
PANTALONE:
Just what I was wondering. .
ISABELLA:
The stairs are all worm eaten; one probably gave way.
ARLECCHINO:
Probably.
PANTALONE:
Probably. Unless. . . (Stops, looks at Arlecchino)
ARLECCHINO:
Why do you look at me, Signore?
PANTALONE:
Unless...
ARLECCHINO:
Unless what?
PANTALONE:
Unless you waxed those steps, hoping I'd fall!
ARLECCHINO:
I, Signore? I commit such a crime?
PANTALONE:
You're entirely capable of it!
ARLECCHINO:
And why should I want to risk your limbs, seeing that you still owe me six
months wages?
PANTALONE:
Maybe to revenge yourself for the stick that I have to lay about your wicked
shoulders!
ARLECCHINO:
Oh, Signore, my shoulders don't bear any grudges! Those blows, I'm happy to
leave them on your conscience!
PANTALONE:
(Roars) My stick, someone!
ARLECCHINO:
But, Signore, you're in no condition to beat me now; wait until you feel
stronger!
ISABELLA:
Father, don't let yourself be angry; you'll only make yourself worse.
PANTALONE:
Ohhh, my head! So be it; when I'm on my feet, you rascal, I promise to beat all
the dust out of your coat. . .
ARLECCHINO:
Oh, Signore, you're too good to me!
PANTALONE:
. . . while it's on your back!
ARLECCHINO:
But, Signore, you'll have still another sin on your conscience!
PANTALONE:
Just wait, you joker! Owww, my head! I'm all done in, I'll have to sit down.
Arlecchino, get me a chair. . .
ISABELLA:
Get a stool also, for his feet.
ARLECCHINO:
Here, lean on Signorina Isabella till I get back.
Lazzo:
Arlecchino starts off, has to let go of Pantalone who leans the other way.
Isabella can barely support him and calls "Arlecchino." Arlecchino
returns and helps to right the old man, starts off again; arid Pantalone leans
too far the other way. Isabella runs around to his other side to prop him up,
calling desperately "Arlecchino!” Arlecchino returns, etc. Continue this
with variations, ending with:
ARLECCHINO:
(from near the doorway) Hold him fast, Signorina, I'll hurry. Have you
got him?
ISABELLA:
(barely keeping Pantalone up) I have him. . .
ARLECCHINO:
I'll only be two seconds. I'll hurry.
ISABELLA:
Yes, yes, go quickly!
ARLECCHINO:
I'll come right back!
ISABELLA:
Well hurry, then! (Pantalone nearly falling)
ARLECCHINO:
(Comes back to say) That's what I'm doing, Signorina, just what I'm
doing! (Runs to the house, stops and turns back) You still have him?
ISABELLA:
Yes, but please hurry!
ARLECCHINO:
I'll only be a minute; you still have him? Mustn't let him fall he can hurt
himself.
ISABELLA:
HURRY!!!
ARLECCHINO:
All right, all right, I'm going. (He turns to go. Pantalone falls.
Arlecchino returns) I was afraid of that! You should hold him like this,
you see, under his arms, and not by his elbow. (Holding him half suspended
like a sack of potatoes, then letting him drop) That way you have more
strength, while otherwise. . .
ISABELLA:
My poor papa, it'll be all right. . . (To A rlecchino) Do go and get
the armchair! .
ARLECCHINO: I'm just going, Signorina. (Runs to the door, turns and comes
back) Why,
there's no reason to hurry any more! (He runs into the house,
anyway)
ISABELLA:
There, there, papa, there, there .. . Say something, papa. . . you
haven't
fainted, have you? (Lifts his head)
ARLECCHINO:
(reappearing at door) The green or the red?
ISABELLA:
What? (Lets head fall)
ARLECCHINO:
The armchair, which should I bring, the green or the red?
ISABELLA:
It makes no difference!
ARLECCHINO:
Good, then I'll bring the red. (Goes in)
PANTALONE:
(Groan) Ohhh! Isabella, is that you?
ISABELLA:
Yes, here I am, papa.
ARLECCHINO:
(Reappears) He's awake?
Ask him if he prefers the green. ISABELLA: It makes no difference, I
tell you! Only hurry! ARLECCHINO: I'll bring the green. (Goes in)
ISABELLA:
Here, father, put your head on my knee. There.
ARLECCHINO:
(Reappears, carrying a yellow armchair) On second thought I
brought
the yellow, it's the least heavy. (He puts it down, up center, sits in
it, fanning himself) Whew!
It's the least heavy, but it's heavy all the same.
ISABELLA:
Arlecchino!
ARLECCHINO:
(Jumps up) Oh, excuse me, Signorina! I'll go get a. stool.
(Runs in)
ISABELLA:
Poor papa, you'll soon feel better. Arlecchino has brought an arm
chair, and we'll soon have you sitting in it.
Optional:
Arlecchino returns holding a stool, does a cartwheel with it and ends sitting
on it.
ISABELLA:
Arlecchino! (Arlecchino jumps up to help her) Now help me get him up. .
.
Lazzo:
They arrange his hands and feet clinging to his walking stick, and pick him up
by the stick as though he were a trussed animal. They seat him in the armchair,
but when Arlecchino pulls the stick away, Pantalone falls out of the chair,
rolling forward a couple of times. Arlecchino quickly inserts the stool in
front of Pantalone to catch him at his middle, and while Pantalone is thus
draped over the stool they bring the armchair forward and place it against Pantalone
as though he were sitting in it; then they pull everything-chair, stool, and
old man- back to place. As they lever the chair, with Pantalone in it, to
place, his feet fly up enough to enable Arlecchino to deftly insert the stool so as to catch Pantalone's
feet coming down.
ARLECCHINO:
There, Signore, how's that? (Pantalone groans) I hope you'll remember,
Signore, all the trouble I've taken for you when-you recover the use of your
stick! (Pantalone groans) Your father isn't well, Signorina, he doesn't
even seem able to talk. (Groan) Wait, I'll find out how bad he is.
Signore! SIGNORE! (Groan) I don't think he hears me; Signore, can you
hear me? (Groan) Signore, you're nothing but a brute, a boor, a
barbarian!
(Groan)
ISABELLA:
Arlecchino!
ARLECCHINO:
He doesn't get angry-serious condition. Signore, here's someone who's bring
you some money, a lot of money! (Groan) Very serious condition.
Signore, someone's here who wants some money-a lot of money! (Groan) Desperate
condition! Signorina, you must be brave.
ISABELLA:
Oh no, my poor papa, it's not possible! What will become of me?
ARLECCHINO:
Because your mother is already dead, you'll become an orphan, that's simple.
ISABELLA:
But how shall I live?
ARLECCHINO:
I expect you'll find yourself enjoying a nice little fortune.
ISABELLA:
Un-fortunate, you mean, no fortune at all.
ARLECCHINO:
What's that? Are you going to tell me your father hasn't a penny aside from the
wages he owes me?
ISABELLA:
Oh my father's rich enough, but I'm not to inherit. He has willed all his goods
to his old friend, Signor Valentino.
ARLECCHINO:
To Signore Valentino? Why?
ISABELLA:
You know that my father had it always in mind to marry me to Signor Valentino.
ARLECCHINO:
That old dotard, that toothless driveler!
ISABELLA:
The very one, alas!
ARLECCHINO:
And he's trying to force you into that! Wait, I'll talk to him. (Shakes
Pantalone) Signore! Signore!
PANTALONE:
Hmmmm?
ARLECCHINO:
Signore! Look at me, it's Arlecchino! Can you see me? Can you hear me?
PANTALONE:
(Feebly) Yes.
ARLECCHINO:
Signore, here you are pretty old, and pretty weak on top of that. You'll soon
pop off. (Pantalone whimpers) Now it's no time to snivel, but to be
reasonable. It seems that you've dared to disinherit your own daughter! You're
an unnatural father!
PANTALONE:
I want her to marry Valentino. I promised him.
ARLECCHINO:
You love your daughter, and yet you dispose of her without her consent?
PANTALONE:
I want to insure her happiness.
ARLECCHINO:
That's a good one! Can you imagine her nuzzling her pretty little cheek against
the scratchy leather jowls of that dirty old drooler who could be her
grandfather! And has one foot in the grave!
PANTALONE:
That's just it. He'll soon cash in and Isabella will inherit both our fortunes.
Frankly, Arlecchino, isn't that cleverly calculated?
ARLECCHINO:
And do you think that your daughter will never regret having sacrificed her
youth? And blame you?
PANTALONE:
Youth, huh; a small thing. Here today, gone tomorrow, whereas money brings
enduring happiness. She'll thank me, you'll see. (Arlecchino tries to
protest) Anyway, leave me alone, I'm stupid to listen to you and it tires
me to talk. Isabella will marry Valentino, that's final. What's decided is
decided, what's promised is promised. (He rapidly loses consciousness) And
Valentino. . . will inherit. . . all. . . my fortune. . . I have. . . spoken. .
.
ARLECCHINO:
Heartless wretch! Don't cry, Signorina, let's hope your father doesn't die
right away. When he's better he'll come to some sense. I'll go get a doctor for
him.
ISABELLA:
Yes, please do, Arlecchino, and quickly.
ARLECCHINO:
(He starts off to the street, and meets Lelio just arriving. He motions for
him to be quiet) Shhh. Come in without making noise. The Signorina will
give you the news. I'll be back soon. (Exits)
ISABELLA:
My dear Lelio.
LELIO:
My sweet Isabella! What's happened? Arlecchino acted so mysterious.
ISABELLA:
My father fell on the cellar stairs. I'm afraid he's fractured his skull.
LELIO:
What a misfortune! Is he dead?
ISABELLA:
Not yet, but probably soon. I'm so unhappy!
LELIO:
But dear Isabella, perhaps then we can marry.
ISABELLA:
Dearest Lelio, do you love me?
LELIO:
If I love you!
ISABELLA:
Love me for myself alone?
LELIO:
For who else, then?
ISABELLA:
Would you marry me no matter what?
LELIO:
Of course, no matter what!
ISABELLA:
Even if I-limped?
LELIO:
Even if you limped on both legs!
ISABELLA:
Even if I were humpbacked?
LELIO:
Even with two humps!
ISABELLA:
Even if I lost an eye?
LELIO:
Even if you lost both eyes!
ISABELLA:
Even if I hadn't a penny of dowry?
LELIO:
Even if you hadn't a penny of…. what did you say?
ISABELLA:
Even if I hadn't a penny of dowry?
LELIO:
You're not joking?
ISABELLA:
Absolutely not.
LELIO:
Explain it to me, I don't understand.
ISABELLA:
My father is disinheriting me, in favor of his friend Valentino, so that I'll
be forced to marry him. Any day now I shall be an orphan, free, and a beggar if
I don't marry Valentino.
LELIO:
That absolutely must not be!
ISABELLA:
Perhaps if you talk to him. . .
LELIO:
Signore, Signor Pantalone! (Pantalone barely responds) It's I, Lelio,
suitor for your daughter's hand, and I've come to . . . (Pantalone lets out
a yell of anger, sitting up and agitating himself furiously. Then he just as
suddenly collapses, and doesn't move)
ISABELLA:
Papa! PAPA! Papa? Pa-pa-a. . .
LELIO:
I don't think I quite convinced him. . .
ISABELLA:
He's not moving! He's not breathing! I think he's dead! Pa-pa
(Bursts into tears)
ARLECCHINO:
(Arrives with Il Dottore and carrying his bag. He guides the doctor for the
latter wears enormous glasses and still is painfully near sighted) Right
here, Signor Dottore, here is the sick man. (The doctor kisses Lelio's hand
saying "Good morning, Signora. " He pushes Isabella away,
saying "Out of the way, Arlecchino.") Here's the patient,
Dottore.
DOTTORE:
(To Arlecchino) Very well, have a seat. (He dumps Pantalone out of
the chair-Pantalone rolls downstage-and Arlecchino sits down). Put out your
tongue and say "Ah." (Arlecchino automatically obeys) Well,
our sick man isn't in too bad a shape.
ARLECCHINO:
But it's not me, Dottore, here's the patient. (Leads him to Pantalone on the
ground, where Isabella and Lelio are tending to him)
DOTTORE:
Well, why didn't you say so earlier- you've wasted my valuable time! (Catches
Pantalone's foot, shakes it and repeats) Put out your tongue and say
"Ah." (He drops it, walks about "thinking" and muttering
in nonsense Latin. The others get Pantalone up and stretched out like a board,
the chair at one end and the stool at the other, head and feet pointed stage
right and left. All finish standing in a line upstage of Pantalone's body)
Lazzo
of examination. Arlecchino, at Pantalone's feet, hands out tools from the
doctor's bag; the others hand them along the line to Il Dottore at Pantalone's
head. They begin to exchange tools among themselves, then go into a sort of
alemand-Ieft and -right, all the time trading implements: When Il Dottore
reaches the other end of the line he goes wandering about, declaiming, until
Isabella brings him back to the patient.
My diagnosis
is now made. He is suffering from lack of pulse. This indicates that the man
may not be well, or even may be gravely ill. Or put still another way, that he
is dead. Totally deceased. Definitely demised.
ISABELLA:
Oh, what shall I do?
DOTTORE:
(Sniffing) Bury him as quickly as possible! (He bows to Arlecchino
saying "Signore” pats Lelio on the head saying "My child, " takes
his bag and murmurs Latin nonsense as Lelio leads him to the exit and sends him
off)
ARLECCHINO:
Don't cry, Signorina, that won't bring him back.
LELIO:
Don't cry, dear Isabella. After all, he had a long, good life.
ARLECCHINO:
And he gave me enough beatings with his stick not to leave me too many
regrets.
LELIO:
And he prevented our marriage.
ARLECCHINO:
The ones to be pitied are those of us who are left in our condition.
ISABELLA:
I'm crying for having lost my father, and because I'm going to lose you, dear
Lelio. I shall have to marry Signor Valentino.
ARLECCHINO:
That's true, I forgot. But don't cry, Signorina, you're making me cry, too. (Sobs,
then practical) Let's try to find a way out of this mess.
ISABELLA:
Oh Arlecchino, is there anything you can do?
ARLECCHINO:
I don't know. Signor Lelio, can you think of anything?
LELIO:
Not I, Arlecchino, but if you can help us, you'll have our everlasting
gratitude.
ARLECCHINO:
Oh, gratitude. . . All the same, let me think. (He makes an elaborate thing
of thinking, as the lovers keep their eyes glued on him. Suddenly he stops
dead, as though struck by an idea) OH!!
ISABELLA:
(expectantly leaning in) Oh? (Arlecchino shakes his head)
LELIO:
Ohhh. . .
ARLECCHINO:
(Thinks a moment longer) No, I give up.
They walk
around thinking; as they get ideas they discard them immediately.
LELIO:
(Walking around thoughtfully) If only he'd listened to my request, he
might have written a new will.
ISABELLA:
(Walking around thoughtfully) But he didn't know how to write. He
dictated his will, then signed it before a notary.
LELIO:
Well then: perhaps I could have got him to dictate a new will. . .
ARLECCHINO:
. . . dictate a new will, dictate a . . . WHY NOT!!! (The others stare at
him) Why not? No one yet knows he's dead but II Dottore, and he won't say
anything-after all, a patient who dies is nothing to brag about.
LELIO:
What will you do?
ARLECCHINO:
I'll take Signor Pantalone's place, you call a notary and I'll dictate a new
will!
ISABELLA:
(Doubtfully) All the notaries know my father. . .
ARLECCHINO:
We'll put a big bandage on my head; my own mother won't know me.
LELIO:
And your voice?
ARLECCHINO:
I'll disguise it. After all, a dying man has a good excuse to whisper.
ISABELLA:
Do you think it will work, Arlecchino?
ARLECCHINO:
Of course it will work. One thing, though, Signorina Isabella I want my six
months back wages.
ISABELLA:
That's only fair, my dear Arlecchino.
ARLECCHINO:
Now to work. First we put poor Signore Pantalone out of sight. (They carry
him to some comer and lay him flat) Signorina, you find a sheet to cover
him with, and some bandages for my head. Signor Lelio, you go and find a
notary.
They go
about their errands as Arlecchino removes Pantalone's coat, puts it on and sits
in the armchair. Isabella returns and places a sheet over Pantalone's body,
then arranges the head bandage on Arlecchino. They assume the expected
attitudes just as Lelio returns with a Notary.
LELIO:
Here we are, Mistress Hookbeak, Signor Pantalone wanted to enjoy a bit of sun
in his garden.
NOTARY:
(Makes elaborate preparations with her paraphernalia, ends with pen poised
and looks at Arlecchino) Signor Pantalone! (No response) Pantalone,
my old friend! (Arlecchino feebly turns his head to her) Oh, how he's
changed! (The lovers hold their breath) It must be because of his
frightful accident. (They breathe) No, I would never take him for Signor
Pantalone. (They hold their breath) It must be that Death has laid his
hand on his head. (They breathe again) Signor Pantalone, it's your old
friend Mistress Hookbeak! (Arlecchino nods weakly) I understand you want
to dictate a new will! (Arlecchino nods again) Are you able to speak? (Another
nod) Very well, I'm ready.
ARLECCHINO:
(In a dying voice but sometimes forgetting) I want first to annul. . .
the will I . . . made. . . in favor. . . of my friend Valentino. . . I want to
. . . bequeath all my goods. . . to . . . my daughter Isabella. . .
NOTARY:
Is that all? That's simple enough. (She writes feverishly, filling up page
after page. Stops, and reads rapidly. During the reading, Arlecchino gets
bored, tries to leave, becomes rebellious. The lovers keep him under control,
all without being noticed by the notary) This day haying appeared before
us, Mistress Hookbeak, licensed notary in this city, the Signor Pantalone and
his only daughter Isabella, and attended by the Signor Lelio. The said Signor
Pantalone having declared to be in full possession of all faculties, moral as
well as physical and to be healthy in mind if not in body, did express the
formal wish to give grounds for annulment and revoking of his will by which he
instituted as sole legatee of all his goods the Signor Valentino: which
testament from now on is held null and void and considered obsolescent. The
above named Signor Pantalone declares, in addition, that not having to his
knowledge any living ascendants or descendants aside from the above-named
Signorina Isabella, his only and legitimate daughter, will inherit all of the
worldly goods of the said Signor Pantalone to enjoy them as is suitable.
There,
I think that's clear enough.
ARLECCHINO:
But... I only wanted to say, . . that I leave. . . everything. . . to my
daughter. . .
NOTARY:
And that's just what I set down. Now, is there anything to add or specify?
ARLECCHINO:
No. . . (Remembers) Yes! Add that. . . I authorize Isabella to marry. .
. Signor Lelio.
NOTARY:
It's hardly customary to put those sorts of things in a will.
ARLECCHINO:
Yes, yes, I insist.
ISABELLA:
We shouldn't deny his last wishes.
NOTARY:
Very well. (Writes) ". . . Isabella to wed Lelio." There! Now
for the signature.
ARLECCHINO:
Wait. I want to add something else. Write as I say: I wish to. bequeath. . .
NOTARY:
". . . queath . . ."
ARLECCHINO:
. . . to my good servant Arlecchino . . .
NOTARY:
"... cchino..."
ARLECCHINO:
.. .six months of wages. . .
NOTARY:
". . . wages." Is that the end?
ARLECCHINO:
. . . and to recompense his faithful services, the sum of . . .(Isabella and
Lelio are startled)
NOTARY:
"... sum of..."
ARLECCHINO:
. . . 2000 lire. I'd like to give him more, but I don't want to deprive
Isabella.
ISABELLA:
Why, uh, papa, you surprise me; you're not really going to do that!
ARLECCHINO:
Just see what a fine, generous daughter I have; she thinks it's not enough.
Mistress Hookbeak, make it 2,500 lire.
LELIO:
Signor Pantalone, are you quite serious?
ARLECCHINO:
Still too little? Very well, make it 3000 lire, and there the matter rests.
NOTARY:
". . . 3000 lire"
ISABELLA:
Papa!
LELIO:
Signore!
ARLECCHINO:
(In his own voice) Not another word, or I'll go to 4000 lire! (They
subside) And now, my conscience clear, let me die peacefully. (He does
so, and the lovers mourn appropriately, crossing themselves,
praying, and
consoling each other)
NOTARY:
(Has paid no attention to anything but her papers, seals, stamps, ribbons,
etc. She finishes the document and turns to Arlecchino) And now, dear
Signor Pantalone, your signature is required.
ISABELLA:
(Realizes with horror that Arlecchino has forgotten that detail) Papa,
oh papa! I'm lost, what am I to do! Papa, come back!
NOTARY:
Signorina, compose yourself, your dear father earned hisjust reward. Would you
deprive him of his happy sojourn with the angels?
LELIO:
But the will?
NOTARY:
Ah, too bad for the daughter, for the servant; His old friend is still the
beneficiary.
LELIO:
But you heard him dictate his desires! Would you deny the generous wishes of a
dying man? Will you have that on your conscience?
NOTARY:
(Shaken) One would not find it possible to say that you have not stated
the moral dilemma quite accurately. Can the law be said, however, to be both
moral and immoral at the same time? What can one do, faced with 'two choices,
both equally bad? He can, uh . . .
LELIO:
(Interrupts) . . . can place the pen in the hand of him who should sign.
. . (Doing so)
ISABELLA:
. . . and, guiding that hand with her own. . . (Doing so)
NOTARY:
. . . see with her own eyes a signature properly affixed in the necessary
manner! Yes, very good, very good. . . Well, that ought to take care of it.
They are
all triumphant. A t that moment Pantalone moves. The lovers notice him and
stare transfixed, thinking it is his ghost; Isabella faints in Lelio's arms.
The Notary sees nothing, as she is busy packing her materials. She turns to
take her leave and finds herself nose to nose with a "ghost." She
shrieks and runs off, papers flying. Arlecchino knows nothing until Pantalone,
in his effort to get free of the sheet, knocks him over. When they're
straightened out. .
.
PANTALONE:
Idiot! Why was I lying on the ground? Why was I under a sheet? Why are you
wearing that idiotic bandage on your head? And why my idiotic coat? Why has my
daughter fainted? Why does Lelio look such a fool? And what are these idiotic
papers. . . (He catches sight of official seals, looks at them with
growing comprehension and anger. Arlecchino tries to sneak away. Isabella
revives just as Pantalone shrieks "A will!" and starts after
Arlecchino.)
Lazzo
of chase. It goes everywhere possible. Pantalone, making dire threats, runs
after Arlecchino, who is trying to explain; the lovers are trying to divert and
calm Pantalone. Ends with Pantalone center stage between Isabella and Lelio;
they hang onto his arms so he can't strike Arlecchino.
ISABELLA:
Please, papa, don't punish Arlecchino, punish me instead for he did it only for
me, to insure my happiness!
LELIO:
(On his knee) I beg you, good Signore, to let me bear your anger. I love
Isabella so deeply that I would go to all such lengths to make her mine!
ISABELLA:
(On her knee) Have pity, father, you see how desperate we are, to resort
to such a trick.
LELIO:
Please, good Signore, we're happy that you're back with us. . .
PANTALONE:
(Lets himself be persuaded, and makes a gesture of assent. He places the
lovers’ hands together. They melt into each other's arms. He turns to
Arlecchino) Well; monster?
ARLECCHINO:
Master, I did play a trick on you, but it didn't hurt a bit! And if you'll not
beat my poor shoulders, I'll willingly bequeath to you right now those 3000,
lire!
Pantalone,
angered all over again by this audacity, makes for Arlecchino, shouting Thief!
Liar! Crook! Swindler! Barbarian! Bandit/Murderer! The chase is on once more, and
goes off.
Curtain
Now, what do I think about this script?
Name of Commedia script:
THE PHANTOM FATHER
No. of Characters in this script:
Pantalone - a miserly old man, Arlecchino - his servant, Isabella
- his daughter, Lelio - in love with
Isabella, II Dottore, Mistress Hookbeak, Notary -> 7 characters, not able to be acted by 4 people
Names of stock characters involved:
·
Pantalone,
a miserly old man
·
Arlecchino,
his servant
·
Isabella,
his daughter
·
Lelio;
in love with Isabella
·
II
Dottore
-> Maybe this can be revised into 4 people-act?
Basic Skeleton of this script:
§ Pantalone falls of the stairs and hurts his
head
§ Pantalone tries to lean on someone and fails
§ Pantalone get even more painful because of
Arlecchino
§ Pantalone leaves his word of death - Isabella
is supposed to marry Valentino
§ Isabella and Valentino meets and discusses
the arranged marriage of Isabella
§ Pantalone dies
§ Il Dottore comes and makes ridiculous
examination and diagnosis
§ Lelio, Arlecchino, and Isabella plans to
counterfeit the cause of death
§ Arlecchino fakes to be the dead Pantalone
§ Arlecchino fakes Pantalone's words of death
as to give a lot of lires to himself
§ Pantalone wakes up again and realizes the
situation, turns into fury
Commedia conventions:
☐ Burle = Comic banter or verbal
game playing between two characters : Leilo and Isabella ('Would you marry me
even if I ...?')
☐
Arlecchino's stupidity
☐ Exaggerated Movement = Action
that is deliberately overstated for a dramatic purpose
☐ Lazzo/Lazzi (plural) = A short comic routine based
on a single ludicrous idea, often using sight gags, or slapstick. : Physical
lazzo, Lazzo
of examination,
☐ Slapstick = Comedy technique
using physical humor, often stage violence.
☐ Concetti = Comic monologue, providing a break in the
action and giving each character a chance to present themselves to the
audience. : Il Dottore's nonsense Latin
Pro's vs. Con's
Many physical lazzos - needs many practice, con's
5 characters - though we can do it as a 4 people-act if Il Dottore is not included - pro's
Many commedia dell'Arte conventions - it might be good, pro's
It also shows the clear relationship between the characters - pro's.
