Commedia dell’Arte for the 21st Century Practice and Performance in the Asia-Pacific Routledge Advances in Theatre & Performance Studies Series

This book discusses the evolution of Commedia dell?Arte in the Asia-Pacific where through the process of reinvention and recreation it has emerged as a variety of hybrids and praxes, all in some ways faithful to the recreated European genre.

The contributors in this collection chart their own training in the field and document their strategies for engaging with this form of theatre. In doing so, this book examines the current thoughts, ideas, and perceptions of Commedia ? a long-standing theatre genre, originating in a European-based collision between neo-classical drama and oral tradition. The contributing artists, directors, teachers, scholars and theatre-makers give insight into working styles, performance ideas, craft techniques and ways to engage an audience for whom Commedia is not part of their day-to-day culture. The volume presents case studies by current practitioners, some who have trained under known Commedia ?masters? (e.g. Lecoq, Boso, Mazzone-Clementi and Fava) and have returned to their country of origin where they have developed their performance and teaching praxis, and others (e.g. travelling from Europe to Japan, Thailand, Singapore and China) who have discovered access points to share or teach Commedia in places where it was previously not known.

This book will be of great interest to students and scholars in Performing arts, Italian studies, and History as well as practitioners in Commedia dell?Arte.

Part 1: In Education 1. Flaminio Scala in Hong Kong 2. Commedia in Australia: advocating for a key role in tertiary education 3. Teaching in Singapore: context and Commedia in Musical Theatre 4. A Commedia Night’s Dream (in China) 5. Igniting Commedia in Secondary Schools in South Australia: a drama teacher’s perspective Part 2: In Conversation Chapter 6. It Was, and It Wasn't Commedia dell'Arte:a conversation about Leilani by Mahuika theatre company 7. From Taranto to Bali 8. Commedia, Comedy and Clowns in Queensland 9. Arlequin in Asia-Culture 10. Theatre Hotel Courage's Journey in India: a family of masks on the road Part 3: In Practice 11. When Harlequin Met Hanuman 12. Making Commedia Happen in Aotearoa 13. Indianizing Commedia 14. Tackling Commedia with Young People 15. Commedia in The Land of Smiles Part 4: In Context 16. Reconstruction and Re-Mediation: performing Commedia across cultures 17. A Commedia Mask Maker in Bali 18. Protest, Pedagogy, and Identity: Commedia dell’Arte in Aotearoa 19. The Bridge and The Mirror Epilogue

Corinna Di Niro is a Commedia practitioner, independent theatre-maker and lecturer at the University of South Australia.

Olly Crick is a Commedia enthusiast, an independent researcher and theatre professional, based in the UK.