The Commedia dell’Arte, one of the most famous theatrical traditions in the world, will also be present at this edition of the Venice Carnival, entering the events programme on Saturday, February 4.
With the line-up “Venezia, ovvero l’Arte della Commedia” curated by Compagnia Teatrale Pantakin, directed by Emanuele Pasqualini and Michele Modesto Casarin, the Comici dell’Arte will return in Piazza San Marco and Campo Santo Stefano. Eight different national and international companies will alternate on stage for more than 70 replicas throughout the Carnival period, from 11.30 AM to 5 PM.
Founding moment of the emergence of professionalism in the field of theatre, the Commedia dell’Arte is a form of entertainment that was born in Italy in the second half of the 17th century and then spread throughout Europe, when the companies of travelling actors were invited to the courts of European rulers, finding great fortune both in France and in Russia. Closely linked to this tradition, for the 2023 Venice Carnival Compagnia Teatrale Pantakin, who has brought on stage its productions both in Italy and abroad since the Carnival of 1995, has curated and coordinated a series of shows to entertain adults and children.
The first appointment is for Saturday, February 4 in Campo Santo Stefano at 12.30 AM and 3 PM with Compagnia Pantakin and its production “Il carro dei Comici” (“The chariot of the Comedians”), an exciting journey through the masks of the Commedia dell’Arte. Between historical anecdotes, laughter and songs, the company of actors will guide the audience in the mysterious and romantic world of masks, in an ancient Venice that still has many parallels with Venice today. The show will be repeated in Campo Santo Stefano on Thursday, February 16 at 12.30 AM and 2 PM, on Monday, February 20 at 2 and 3 PM, and on Tuesday, February 21 at 2 and 4 PM.
Also on Saturday, February 4 at 11.30 AM, 2 and 4 PM, the Bambabambin Puppet Theatre Company of the master puppeteer Paolo Rech will take the stage of Campo Santo Stefano, bringing two show proposals: “Arlecchinate” and “Il Mercante di Legnate”, which will feature the character of Harlequin. Performances are also scheduled for the following day, Sunday, February 5 at 11.30 AM, 2 and 4 PM.
On Sunday, February 5 at 12.30 AM and 3 PM, it will be the turn of Compagnia Teatro Immagine, which will bring to Campo Santo Stefano his adaption of the Shakespearean “Merchant of Venice”, which will use the masks of the Italian tradition to tell the scams and the lies of relationships based only on the value of money. On the following weekends, the performance will move to Piazza San Marco with the following times: Saturday, February 11 at 11%30 and 14%30, and Sunday, February 19 at 11:30 and 16:30.
From the following weekend the stages double, with performances in both Campo Santo Stefano and Piazza San Marco. In addition to Pantakin will be alternative the Compagnia Teatro dei Navigli di Abbiategrasso, Zorba Officine Creative of Milan, Amata Compagnie from France, the Compagnia Friulana Lande de Vero and the Veneto Teatro Immagine. Finally, thanks to the precious collaboration with the Romanian Institute of Culture and Humanistic Research in Venice, the Compagnia stabile del Teatro Drammatico of E. Godenau (Romania) will be present with the show “Teatrul Mastilor”.
All shows are free entry.
