Usually the masks were made of linen, wood, or leather. A marble or stone face was used as a mould for the mask. Human or animal hair was also used. The eyes were fully drawn but in the place of the pupil of the eye was a small hole so that the actor could see.
Commedia dell’Arte
Beginning during the Renaissance and lasting into the eighteenth century, travelling troupes performed the commedia dell' arte, the Italian comedy. The company's ten or more actors each developed a specific type of character, such as the Captain, two old men (Pantaloon and the Doctor), the Zanni (valet-buffoons). Since all wore masks, their roles were, self-explanatorily, called masks. Along with these comic characters were the lovers. Men originally played female parts, and so masks were needed, but later women played these parts.
Starting in Italy, troupes moved into all of Europe, influencing theatre in Spain, Holland, Germany, Austria, England, and especially, France.
A series of engravings from the eighteenth century offer this typical "bare-bones" scenario:
As the curtain rises, Harlequin is ill. The Doctor and his servant try to determine what is wrong. The Doctor, after much enticing, gives Harlequin a shot on his backside with a huge syringe. Harlequin is found to be pregnant and delivers three babies, one of which survives. Harlequin nurses and mothers the baby. He teaches the child to walk. Harlequin complains to the Doctor regarding the problems of rearing a child. Harlequin whips the child, and the play eventually ends with Harlequin teaching the child to read. Throughout the play, Harlequin is made fun of by his friends.
From this engraving, we can see the comic side of the Commedia dell’Arte, and also, perhaps, it’s underlying serious message, which would be typical of the Renaissance.
The Island
The Island, created by the Trestle Theatre company, and which we were fortunate to witness earlier this year, is a perfect example of how masks can be used to portray characters, and objects, which actors would never normally be able to carry out. Indeed, it took just five people to produce a spectacle that has enthralled and amazed theatres all over the country.
The Island’s star is an elderly woman, and how easily one such person could be isolated and ousted from society. It was introduced magnificently, setting the stage for the rest of the show. Actors appeared with cars on their heads- just one example of how this particular play took mask theatre to a new level- and produced a scene, which not only created several comical moments, but also portrayed message of the entire play; the world passing our star- the elderly woman- by. The entire production was one that proved just how powerful masks can be, and how many characters can be formed through just a handful of actors. Powerful music filled the theatre, and themes from other eras helped to set the scene.
The Trestle Theatre Company was formed in 1981, and since then has revealed to the world a new aspect of mask theatre, which has proved extremely popular in the past. Joff Chaffer and Toby Wilsher, Joint Artistic Directors, have continuously produced shows that have captured the hearts, and minds, of their audiences, and attract a huge spectrum of people from all walks of life, as was illustrated when they performed at Glastonbury 2000.
Performing in a Mask
Throughout this term we have concentrated on masked theatre, and so have also learnt to perform using these masks- from the basic, plain-faced primary masks to those used by the Trestle Theatre Company, with their remarkably real facial features and varying skin tones. Wigs and other apparatus, such as hats, have joined later.
There are five rules which we have learnt this year which ensure a high-quality performance:
- Do not touch your mask
- Do not stand less than five metres away from the audience
- Do not speak, or breathe heavily with your mask on
- Do not face the audience when taking off or putting on the mask
- Always clock the audience
Acting in a mask has to be exaggerated- almost over-acted- so that the audience know what the character is thinking or doing. Though this is hard at first, I felt that wearing a mask added something new to my acting skills, because I could do things that I perhaps wouldn’t dare to before- the mask acted as a sort of safety net.
Masked theatre has been around for thousands of years, adding aspects of theatre many had never seen before. With companies like the T.T.C., we can be sure that masks can enter the modern world, and still come out the success they have always been.