Leading Playwright's
The origins of Commedia dell' Arte were unclear. It is suggested that Commedia dell' Arte formed from a multitude of styles including Greek Theatre. Commedia dell' Arte grew as a response to the political and economic crisis' at the time. Characters were created and developed as the style grew and became more popular.
Originally the characters were very raunchy, and the women were very dim-witted and only interested in men. As times changed, the characters and themes changed to become more humorous, and the women became intelligent and interested in a wider range of topics.
There were no noted leading playwrights in the Commedia dell' Arte style, because the scenarios were written by a wide range of writers.
Scenarios were not written down, or recorded because troupes were afraid of other troupes stealing their work.
Some notable writers were:
ANDREA CALMO - Influenced the creation of the Commedia dell' Arte style. Created the character Pantalone.
ANGELO BEOLCO - Italian writer, who ran a troupe, and performed several of his shows. Considered a great influence, and possibly one of the founding fathers of Commedia dell' Arte.
FLAMINIO SCALA - Flaminio was one of the first writers to write his scenarios down. He lead the most well known Commedia dell' Arte troupe, I Gelosi. He played one of the lovers, Flavio. In 1611, he published the book 'Il Teatro delle Favole Rappresentative', which was a collection of Commedia dell' Arte scenarios.
Originally the characters were very raunchy, and the women were very dim-witted and only interested in men. As times changed, the characters and themes changed to become more humorous, and the women became intelligent and interested in a wider range of topics.
There were no noted leading playwrights in the Commedia dell' Arte style, because the scenarios were written by a wide range of writers.
Scenarios were not written down, or recorded because troupes were afraid of other troupes stealing their work.
Some notable writers were:
ANDREA CALMO - Influenced the creation of the Commedia dell' Arte style. Created the character Pantalone.
ANGELO BEOLCO - Italian writer, who ran a troupe, and performed several of his shows. Considered a great influence, and possibly one of the founding fathers of Commedia dell' Arte.
FLAMINIO SCALA - Flaminio was one of the first writers to write his scenarios down. He lead the most well known Commedia dell' Arte troupe, I Gelosi. He played one of the lovers, Flavio. In 1611, he published the book 'Il Teatro delle Favole Rappresentative', which was a collection of Commedia dell' Arte scenarios.