Shakespeare and Commedia dell'Arte

<p><em>Shakespeare and Commedia dell’Arte</em> examines the ongoing influence of commedia dell’arte on Shakespeare’s plays. </p><p>Exploring the influence of <em>commedia dell’arte</em> 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 <i>A Midsummer Night’s Dream </i>to <em>The Winter’s Tale</em> drawing out elements of <i>commedia dell’arte </i>style in the playscripts and in contemporary performance. </p><p>Including contemporary directors’ notes and interviews with actors and audience members alongside Elizabethan reviews criticism and commentary <i>Shakespeare and Commedia dell’Arte </i>presents an invaluable resource for scholars and students of Renaissance theatre. </p>