|
|
|
The story of Tartuffe and commedia dell'arte
|
|
Tartuffe
The Dell'Arte Company
Molière's play Tartuffe (also sometimes referred to as Tartuffe, or The Imposter) is a masterwork by France's most celebrated comic playwright. Tartuffe is set in the realm of seventeenth-century Parisian high society during the reign of King Louis XIV.
In Tartuffe, Orgon, a wealthy family man, takes in a stranger by the name of Tartuffe to stay in his home. Tartuffe appears to be an extremely pious and devout man of religion, and Orgon regards him almost as a saint. Orgon offers Tartuffe his best food and drink and places the needs of his guest above those of his wife and children. He plans to force his daughter to marry Tartuffe and to disinherit his son in order to make Tartuffe the sole heir to his fortune. All of Orgon's friends and family regard Tartuffe as a con man who only pretends to be of the highest moral authority but who does not practice what he preaches. Orgon is warned that Tartuffe may be deceiving him in order to gain both financially and socially, but Orgon is blind to these warnings. Orgon finally learns that he has been betrayed by his guest when he overhears Tartuffe trying to seduce his wife. However, when he orders Tartuffe to leave his house, Tartuffe seeks revenge by trying to seize all of Orgon's property and to have Orgon arrested. In the end, through the intervention of the King, Tartuffe is arrested, and harmony is restored to Orgon's household.
Tartuffe Home
|
About commedia dell'arte
Commedia is an Italian theatrical form that flourished throughout Europe from the 16th through the 18th century.
The commedia dell'arte was a form of popular theatre that emphasized ensemble acting; its improvisations were set in a firm framework of masks and stock situations, and its plots were frequently borrowed from the classical literary tradition of the commedia erudita, or literary drama. Professional players who specialized in one role developed an unmatched comic acting technique, which contributed to the popularity of the itinerant commedia troupes that traveled throughout Europe.
|
About the Dell'Arte Company
Founded in 1971, Dell'Arte International is the U.S. center for the exploration, development, training and performance of the actor-creator. Its mission is to employ and revitalize the traditional physical theatre forms to explore contemporary concerns.
Dell'Arte co-founder, Carlo Mazzone-Clementi, was a native of Italy and chose the name 'dell'arte' (dell are tay) because it means "of the art." His work was inspired by the lively commedia dell'arte, a character -based style of theatre that has fueled popular theatre for generations, and was known as 'the art of the professionals.'
Dell'Arte's audiences tell us, "There is no other theatre like Dell'Arte!" The combination of our training programs , research, our original touring productions, our education program in the public schools, our summer festival and our work in economic/community development make us a destination unlike any other on the American theatre map.
Telecharge: 1-800/233-3123
MajesTix Groups:
617/824-8000
Specific Needs:
617/824-8000
TTY: 1-888-889-8587 |
|
