Mise-en-scène

Many different forms of The Venetian Twins have been performed over the years. I read the play, watched the video, saw several written reviews of other enactments, and read quite a lot about a successful Australian musical performance. One common characteristic in all the different variations of the play was the mise-en-scène. Mise-en-scène is the visual theme, or the 'telling of a story' visually in theater or film. Every play I referenced was set on a street where there was easy access to the door of the inn and the door of Rosaura and the Professor. There were minute details in every performance on the stage, even down to how the hat or beret (whichever was used) worn by Tonino and Zanetto was turned. Written reviews talked about stage exits strategically placed to help the main actor, who played the part of the twins, carry out his routine more easily. Other performance strategies placed part of the audience in seats or at tables on the front of the actual stage to help the audience feel more inclusive to the presentation. Some tactically placed cast members in the audience to get virtually stabbed with a sword during the sword fights. At one point, in the written rendition we read for class, there was mention of a mannequin's leg hanging out the door of the inn of the dead Zanetto, while Tonino tried to find his killer. 

One of the common characteristics of the commedia dell'arte was to have fixed social types or stock characters i.e. devious servants, dirty old men, and even characters in masks. Goldoni reformed some of that in his translation of this play from stage to paper, but the essence of the characters still live in their colorful costumes befitting their personalities. Pancrazio was wearing a robe in a couple reviews I read, which meant he was a man of stature and held in high esteem. The servants Colombina and Arlecchino wore colorful, crazy costumes that were less frilly than the other men and women in the video of the play, which lended to class distinction among the characters, namely that the servants were lower status and a little devious (crazy colors).

Something else interesting about the mise-en-scène in the video was the very bright stage and vibrant colors. I think the purpose of the dynamic setting was to help acclimate the audience to the pace of the performance, for example the rapid exchanges and quick scene changes. The play was very lively, as was the stage, costumes and lighting. Having the setting allude to the characters’ personalities, as well as the story of the play makes the experience for the audience much more enhanced and enjoyable. This play leaves so much room for improvisation and interpretation in the way it is written and performed, and I think this is why there are numerous renditions that are stylistically completely different, but still have similar mise-en-scène.