Shakespeare and Commedia dell’Arte
examines the ongoing influence of commedia dell’arte on Shakespeare’s plays.
Exploring the influence of
commedia dell’arte
improvisation, sight gags, and wordplay on the development of Shakespeare’s plays, Artemis Preeshl blends historical research with extensive practical experience to demonstrate how these techniques might be applied when producing some of Shakespeare's best-known works today. Each chapter focuses on a specific play, from
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
to
The Winter’s Tale
, drawing out elements of
style in the playscripts and in contemporary performance.
Including contemporary directors’ notes and interviews with actors and audience members alongside Elizabethan reviews, criticism, and commentary,
presents an invaluable resource for scholars and students of Renaissance theatre.