The Spirit Of The Mask
The Spirit of the Mask is a unique secondary school (7-12) production created by renowned Commedia practitioner Tony Kishawi.
It is an interactive performance and workshop in one, designed to demonstrate the essential conventions of traditional Commedia and comic and mask performance. The show’s focus explores how these funny traditions continue to engage audiences.
Characters showcased and explored include the Zanni, the Lovers (Inamorati), Il Capitano, Il Dottore and Pantalone. Commedia conventions demonstrated include lazzi, Burle, canovacci, improvisation, audience interaction, status relationships and heightened physicality.
Learning Areas:
The Arts (Drama)
Strands: Developing an understanding of practices
Responding to and interpreting artworks
Humanities and Social Science (History)
- Renaissance Italy.
Languages (Italian)
- Role of language and culture.
English
- Language for interaction.
General Capabilities
Critical and Creative Thinking
- Express ideas, concepts, thoughts and feelings creatively.
- Consider and evaluate motivations, intentions, influences and biases.
- Offer and receive effective feedback.
Ethical Understanding
- Apply skills in reasoning, empathy and imagination.
- Make judgements about actions and motives.
Personal and Social Capability
- Initiative.
- Confidence.
- Resilience.
- Adaptability.
- Empathy.
Style/Form:
- Commedia dell’Arte.
- Mask.
- Physical Theatre and Comedy.
- Improvisation.
Themes and Contexts:
- Creativity and Imagination.
- Transformation.
- Roles and Relationships.
- Audience Engagement and Interaction.
Devised by: Clint Bolster, Ben Cornfoot and Tony Kishawi-
Directed by: Clint Bolster and Tony Kishawi
All prices include GST
Staging Requirements:
- An indoor venue guarantees a better and more intimate performance
- Outdoor venue need minimum of one wall
- 5x5m wide space (no power outlet is required)