Lazzi: The Comic Routines of the Commedia dell'Arte

by Mel Gordon (editor)

"An important addition to the literature on Italian Commedia dell'Arte."— Choice This best-selling PAJ volume presents over 250 comedy routines used by commedia performers in Europe from 1550 to 1750. Includes an introduction, two complete commedia scenarios, and a glossary of commedia characters.

Genres: Theatre, History

96 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1981

Reviews

[Elizabeth]

This is a useful reference, but not exactly a page-turner--I've heard it described as a remarkably dry book about comedy. And that's "dry" in the sense of "not funny at all."

For performers or researchers who already know a bit about commedia dell'arte, this is a good, thorough compendium of the bits created by different performers through the ages.

For people who don't know about commedia, this is a terrible place to start; it's likely to leave you scratching your head, wondering what all the fuss was about. The John Rudlin book is a more engaging introduction to the form.

[Lacy]

A compendium of lazzi, or bits. Since I got this book years and years ago, I've been wondering how on earth to turn it into a show, a rehearsal exercise, SOMETHING. I still don't know, but I love having it.
What I really love about this book - the comedy nerd in me loves about it, specifically - It's a potential Rosetta Stone of comedy. The jokes and bits that made people laugh hundreds of years ago and can still do the same today - provided you can read "'Lazzo of the Ghost' [Naples 1700]: Pulcinella dresses as a ghost to frighten the other characters. But seeing their frantic reactions, he becomes frantic too."
... and know how to do that.

[Gina P]

It’s good for what it is: a compilation of lazzi, or what we would call comedy bits, from the Commedia dell Arte. I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s “dry” but definitely academic. Many of the bits are funny when you put your imagination to it. Many are also timeless. With more than a handful I could recall the same bit on a modern sitcom. For example, “In order to fool the other characters, Fichetto pretends to talk in his sleep.” There’s a great episode of I Love Lucy that uses that bit. Actually, I Love Lucy came to mind several times. This is a great resource for playwrights or scholars interested in commedia.

[Robert Baumgardner]

Clear and thorough reference on the subject matter. For the casual reader, a bit like reading a dictionary, but for the professional or educator, a good reference with short descriptions of the various lazzi and characters of commedia. Probably a 4 or 5 star book for an educator.

[Joshua Hill]

An invaluable compendium for anyone working within the realm of comedy.

[Lacy Katherine]

A compendium of lazzi, or bits. Since I got this book years and years ago, I've been wondering how on earth to turn it into a show, a rehearsal exercise, SOMETHING. I still don't know, but I love having it.
What I really love about this book - the comedy nerd in me loves about it, specifically - It's a potential Rosetta Stone of comedy. The jokes and bits that made people laugh hundreds of years ago and can still do the same today - provided you can read "'Lazzo of the Ghost' [Naples 1700]: Pulcinella dresses as a ghost to frighten the other characters. But seeing their frantic reactions, he becomes frantic too."
... and know how to do that.

[Amelia Davies]

An outstanding acting text book and laugh out loud funny.