Commedia Dell'arte FMP

"The Combat of the Masks” by Talia Felix

The script I chose is a modern interpretation of Commedia dell'Arte, both as a genre and performance style. Drawing inspiration from the classic Italian stock characters of Commedia, known for their universally recognisable visual traits, I decided to develop costumes for Lucrezia, eternally in love, and Purricinella, the witty and scruffy servant with his long-nosed mask. My goal was to upcycle traditional fabrics from the classic costumes into a contemporary street fashion style inspired by skaters in cities like Manchester.

Through research, I reinvented ways to display the key elements of classic Commedia, ensuring they remain recognizable while allowing for the characteristic physical comedic style of the performance. I took budget and environmental sustainability into account. Additionally, I considered the diverse range of performers of all ages, shapes, and sizes who might wear these costumes in different environments.