Commedia Zannizine

2 Jun

Gif showing nine images from the Zannizine issue 11

I have been busy over the past month pulling together the latest issue of Commedia Zannizine for the end of Spring. Contained inside is a splendid collection of articles and artefacts:

Simon Callow shares his rumination on and experiences of Commedia,
Mark Ravenhill’s ventures into Commedia are examined,
Arturo Brachetti features in an extended piece on the art of quick-change,
Dr. Olly Crick shares an in-depth review of Matthew J. McMahan’s Border-Crossing and Comedy at the Théâtre Italian, 1716-1723.
Plus, there’s a special gift for the reader with a rare view of an original artefact from 1869: a carnival souvenir produced by the Società del Duttòur Balanzòn, an organisation established in 1867 to rejuvenate public festivities in Bologna. Here’s a little teaser to whet your appetite:

“When I am here, I am the Doctor. The Doctor is a man of principles: with principles, one can keep a house in order. When things go well, they don’t go badly; ‘evil doesn’t always harm’, as the proverb says. And proverbs tell the truth: Truth is always naked, but if you dress it up a little, it looks like smoke; and smoke is a genius; and geniuses don’t need much to be happy – just a lady, a lady... sufficit. I won’t go on much longer, because what really matters is what you will find inside. An Album full of drawings, pure secret whispers, and music too. Make a good purchase if you wish – otherwise, I’ll have to make do!”

— DUTTÒUR BALANZÒN, IN ALBUM RICORDO DEL DUTTÒUR BALANZÒN STRENNA CARNEVALESCA, 1869.