Commedia Dell'Arte

KS3 Drama SOL exploring the characteristics and physicality of the stock Commedia Dell’Arte characters. Practical assessment opportunities.

Overview of unit:
Students explore Commedia Dell’Arte and look at the stock characters of Pantalone, Harlequin, The Captain and Columbina to help them with their characterisation skills and ability to create characters different to themselves. Students will focus particularly on their physicality. Students will also explore Lazzi and how this can be used to successfully create comedy within a performance.

Texts and resources needed:
Youtube Video (link on PPT) for Lesson 4.

Assessment outcomes and criteria:
• Student written self-assessment to be completed at the end of the unit.
• Practical assessment in Week 7: Group performance.
• Variety of peer and self-assessment opportunities when practicing and performing back performances.