Regents Review - Spring 2021

The Regents Review Spring 2021

DEPARTMENTAL NEWS

Performing Arts Year 9 BTEC performing arts have been exploring the performance style of Commedia Dell’Arte both remotely and in lessons. They created their own masks during lockdown, but are now using the real thing in school and working towards a piece of assessment.

History of Commedia Commedia Dell’Arte, comedy of the profession, was created as a use of over emphasising the public views of everyday life. It was created in Italy by Francesco Andreini in the 16th century. It was performed through Europe and adjusted throughout the century. It consists of 11 characters: Magnifico – top, first and second actress – below, the witch – top centre, the Pantalone – middle left, the doctor – middle right, Columbia – centre, Brighella – left, Harlequino – right, the captain – bottom centre, and at the very bottom Zanni – the servant.

Year 7 begun a shadow puppet project in February and will complete it as part of their homework over Easter.

Year 8 drama students started researching masked theatre in their remote learning and they are now learning the techniques of mask work in lessons. Harlequin Monologue Harlequino enters. A table is in the middle of the stage and on the table is a pie. A couple of beats pass until they notice it. Harlequino (con’t): I bet no one would notice if I just took one bite, would they? Nahhh. Just ONE though. [Dips a finger in the pie, scoops it up and eats it] mmmmm, delicious!!!! Maybe a bit more? No one would know, I could just replace it. [Goes to take another bite but instead picks it up] Aha! I’ll just take the whole thing. Sssshh. Ooo this will be nice [starts walking away while eating it but stumbles on a piece of paper. They pick it up, and start reading it aloud] Do not eat this, it’s for the party later, Pantalone. Oh no, oh no, oh no. He can’t know that I’ve done this. Errrm. People can be heard outside the room. Harlequin (con’t): Uhh ohhhh. I’d better go, but the pie. I don’t want to leave it. Unless I eat the evidence then no one would suspect a thing. Haha. [Finishes pie] [Shrugs] They can make another. Harlequino: Oooo hahaha, look at this. Harlequino edges closer to it curiously.

My world and thoughts – A commedia Monologue My name is Zanni, I’m the end of your very existence, I’m the end of the line, the weak, the runt. This world is new to me so I don’t know much about it, I know the world is full of things that I do not understand of yet. The world is full of beautiful colours like coral pink and violet, but there are some colours new, a colour like a roses thorns prickling at the skin and darkness like sorrow and pain, it swallows you up and hides you forever. Light brings darkness gifts and darkness keeps them. The world is new to me and there is so much to learn, to breath, to taste, to feel, to bleed. I have much to learn and little time. Recently I have learnt of

emotions, the love for another, the sorrow for the dead, the pain for the blood, the happiness for someone dear to you. There are tears that flow for lust and love, and sometimes we don’t know why. This world isn’t just your world, it’s mine too.

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