Tradurre il testo (assente) nel linguaggio del corpo: la tradizione della Commedia dell'Arte

The so-called ‘Commedia dell’Arte’ was born in Italy in the mid-16th century. It spread in Italy first and, from the end of the 16th century, also in most of Europe. Actors and actresses performing in the ‘Commedia dell’Arte’ used to play roles representing “fixed types” with highly characterised costumes and masks. The theatrical script, conventionally meant, was replaced by a “canovaccio” (plot outline) or scenario. The absence of a theatrical text was compensated by the “practice of improvisation”, a method for establishing and coordinating the order of the recited parts. The “commedianti” (actors and actresses) were capable of elaborating a recitative technique and a theatrical formula which resulted in a sort of “universal language”, making the stage action lively and understandable beyond any linguistic barrier.