Watch the performance below and see how many characters you can identify.

Not all of these are in the play (S of 2 M) and some that are have been ‘modified’ by Goldoni (Brighella for example).

As the performances are in French/Italian FOCUS on the physicality of the characters, their playfulness, energy levels, tone of their voice.

Look out for LAZZI = comic business.

COVER LESSON – WORK ON YOUR OWN IN THE LRC OR DRAMA 2

This is to test your knowledge of basic plot events, character knowledge and motivations in the first 2 Acts of the play “A Servant of 2 Masters” (So2M)

All the answers are in the play – you may also find the plot summary of the Commentaries useful.

TO BE DONE IN YOUR JOURNAL FOR NEXT LESSON

Comprehension Questions for Acts 1 & 2 of ‘Servant of 2 Masters’. (Questions)

	Question	Answer	Mark
1	What are the 3 stock types of Commedia?		3
2	Traditionally which characters would have worn a mask		2
3	Name 2 character types that are not in the play?		2
4	Where is the play set – (city)		1
5	What is a lazzi?		2
6	Who wrote the play?		1
7	When did they write it (to within the nearest decade)		1
8	What are the names of the 2 older men?		2
9	What are the names of their children?		2
10	Beatrice comes from which city?		1
11	Who is her brother?		1
12	What has happened to him before the play begins? Who did this?		2
13	Who was he meant to marry and why?		2
14	Beatrice arrives at Pantaloon’s house disguised as whom?		1
15	Who recognises her and why?		2
16	Who is her servant?		1
17	Who is his love interest throughout the play?		1
18	What 2 things does Beatrice hope to get by arriving in Venice?		2
19	Why does Truffaldino sign up with another master?		1
20	Who is the ‘character’ Truffaldino. makes up?		1
21	Why does he ‘invent’ this person?		1
22	Name 2 objects that are the types of things that confuse Truffaldino now that he serves 2 masters?		2
23	Towards the end of Act 1 what does Beatrice do when in the company of a distressed Clarice?		2
24	Why is Silvio angry with Pantaloon and Beatrice/Federigo?		1
25	When discovering Silvio with a sword what does Beatrice/Ferderigo do?		1
26	What does Clarice threaten to do when confronted by Silvio’s jealousy?		1
27	What city is Truffaldino from?		1
28	How do we (the audience) know that Truffaldino can’t read?		2
29	Why does Truffaldino get a double beating at the end of the Act 2?		2

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30) Explain in a paragraph how you would play the role of Pantaloon or Dr Lombardi (focus on personality, voice, posture, body shape, rhythm, facial expression)                                                                               6 marks

GRUMMALOT

Watch the following video and make some notes in your Journal about…

1. Grummalot (define it in your own words)
2. Why is it a useful ‘tool’ for improvising and exploring a text?
3. By watching the student actors, what skills do you think they show to successfully take part in a ‘grummalot’ conversation? [How does the listener know what is being said, how to respond, when to respond?]
4. Why does it simulate the world of Commedia (think accents and languages)
5. How could ‘grummalot’ be considered subversive during the time of Commedia?