Lazzi: The Comic Routines of the Commedia Dell'arte

Book Overview

An important addition to the literature on Italian Commedia dell'Arte.--Choice

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0933826699
• ISBN13: 9780933826694
• Release Date: August 1983
• Publisher: PAJ Publications
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.4" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

Excellent resource

I teach theatre history. One of their major assignments is to create and perform a commedia piece. This was an excellent resource for my students.

I laughed out loud!

Of all the books out there concerning commedia dell'arte, I found this one to be one of the most informative and useful (and definitely the FUNNIEST!--and isn't that the point?). Mel Gordon clearly and concisely defines what lazzi are, and presents a series of them according to type; quite appropriate, considering commedia performers often kept notebooks full of such routines. One discovers that comedy has not really changed over the centuries. Perusal of these routines brings the tradition of commedia dell'arte to life in a way that hours of poring over Flaminio Scala's work can not. A must for any student of the Italian comedy!