Pioneer Drama Service is proud to carry five commedia dell’arte adaptations

Ideal for professional children's theatres, Commedia Cinderella, Commedia Princess and the Pea, Commedia Pinocchio, Commedia Robin Hood and Commedia Puss in Boots each bursts with physical humor and witty banter that breathe new life and energy into the classic tales. Everything needed for these productions—costumes, props and special effects—fits into a single wagon or prop trunk, making these shows perfect for touring or professional productions. 

Commedia dell’arte, Italian for “comedy of the professional artists,” was a popular form of improvisational theatre that began in Italy in the fifteenth century and continued in its appeal for centuries. At that time, all performances were unscripted and held outdoors, with only simple props and no scenery. The influence of commedia dell’arte is evident in much of our contemporary comedy, most notably in the great commedia artists of the twentieth century, the Marx Brothers.

When presented today, the commedia players—Arlequin, Punchin, Rosetta, Pantalone, Scaramouch and Columbine—are portrayed as poor travelers who have made all their props from objects they’ve found. Their costumes, with the commedia diamond pattern always evident, are partly handmade and partly inherited from wealthier people who either tired of that fashion or thought better of it. The various talents of the actors—acrobatics, dance, music, quick wit and insight into human nature—all make the plays as entertaining and relevant today as they were to the people of Renaissance Europe, when commedia dell’arte was at its height of popularity.

 Lane Riosley's commedia del’arte series have been produced by theatres nationwide including The Taradiddle Players, The Actor's Company of Burbank, The Little Top Theatre Company, The West Coast Ensemble, The Texas Renaissance Festival, EarlyStages of Houston, Stages Repertory Theatre, The Merry Go Round Theatre and the Asolo Theatre. Commedia Voyages of Sinbad will be available in January.