Carlo Boso (Routledge Performance Practitioners)

Carlo Boso is one of the foremost exponents of Commedia dell’Arte in the contemporary performance world, having trained generations of young actors in its history, techniques and performance. Staying true to – and promoting renewed awareness of – the diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds of most commedia troupes, his work has also done a great deal to democratize this central pillar of European theatre, placing the actor and the audience squarely at the centre of his craft.

This book includes the following:

• A biographical account of Boso’s route into commedia, his foundational work and the significance of his practice to contemporary performance.

• An extended interview that allows Boso to set out in his own words the key elements of his work and his vision of an articulate, politically and socially engaged actor.

• A detailed analysis of his production of La Pazzia di Isabella with TAG Teatro, providing an object lesson in how to make a centuries-old scenario suitable for touring 250 performances across nine countries.

• A developmental series of exercises for approaching improvisation material, as well as mask work, composition, music and acrobatics.

As a first step towards critical understanding, and as an initial exploration before going on to further, primary research, Routledge Performance Practitioners offer unbeatable value for today’s student.

Peter Jordan spent several years as a leading actor for TAG Teatro under Carlo Boso, and co-founded The Fortunati, touring original scenarios as well as works by Molière and Marivaux. He played the lead roles in Goldoni’s The Venetian Twins (Oxford Playhouse and national tour). A PhD (2008) led to his book, The Venetian Origins of the Commedia dell’Arte (Routledge, 2014). He has authored several articles and book chapters on Commedia and directed Flaminio Scala’s scenario, The Tragic Events, for the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, where he was Head of Acting from 2007 to 2013. As a director, he has worked for, among others, the Hong Kong International Arts Festival, Hong Kong Repertory Company, Chung Ying Theatre and Phantom Genius Media. Specializing in classic works by Goldoni, Molière, Shakespeare and Dickens, he has also directed award-winning versions of Les Misérables, Cyrano de Bergerac and Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s The Visit.

Olly Crick has trained in Commedia under Barry Grantham, Marcello Magni and Carlo Boso. He performed at the Venice carnival for TAG Teatro of Venice and for the UK-based Unfortunati Commedia troupe. He ran Gloucester-based troupe The Fabulous Old Spot Theatre Company between 2004 and 2014, bringing locally flavoured Commedia to community venues in the region. He was awarded a PhD by Edge Hill University in 2018, subsequently published by Routledge as The Dramaturgy of Commedia dell’Arte. As well as having papers on Commedia published in academic journals, he has co-edited two volumes on Commedia including The Routledge Companion to Commedia dell’Arte with Judith Chaffee, supporting scholars and performers to record their experiences of performance ‘for those who come after’.