See also Commedia dell'arte Karel Dujardins set his closely-observed scene of a travelling troupes makeshift stage against idealized ruins in the Roman Campagna: dated 1657 (Louvre Museum) Commedia dellarte (Italian: play of professional artists also interpreted as comedy of humors), also known as Extemporal Comedy, was a popular form of improvisational...

History of the Harlequinade

The Harlequinade is a type of theatrical performance piece, usually a slapstick adaptation of the Commedia dell'arte, which dates back to England in the mid 18th century. The story revolves around the lives of its five main characters: Harlequin, Pierrot, Columbine, Clown, and Pantaloon. Karel Dujardins set his closely-observed scene of a travelling troupes makeshift stage against idealized ruins in the Roman Campagna: dated 1657 (Louvre Museum) Commedia dellarte (Italian: play of professional artists also interpreted as comedy of humors), also known as Extemporal Comedy, was a popular form of improvisational... Motto: (French for God and my right) Anthem: God Save the King/Queen Capital London (de facto) Largest city London Official language(s) English (de facto) Unification    - by Athelstan AD 927  Area    - Total 130,395 km² (1st in UK)   50,346 sq mi  Population    - 2006 est. ... (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ...

The characters

Harlequin

The Harlequin is the comic of the show. He is a servant and the love interest of Columbine. His everlasting high-spirits and cleverness work to save him from several difficult situations which his amoral behaviour gets him into during the course of the play. In some Italian forms of the Harlequinade, Harlequin is able to perform magic feats. He never holds a grudge or seeks revenge. Harlequin dancing with Columbina. ...

Harlequin is generally considered to be the forerunner to 'whiteface' clowns, i.e. those that rely on slyness or trickery to amuse the audience, rather than buffonery or physical slapstick.

Columbine

Columbine is a lovely woman, who has caught the eye of Harlequin. In both French and Italian theater, she is often portrayed as a servant, serving girl, or lady's maid under the patronage of Pantaloon (Pantalone), though she is at times depicted instead as his daughter. This article is about the theatrical character. ...

Her role usually centers around her romantic interest in Harlequin, and her costume often includes the cap and apron of a serving girl, though (unlike the other players) not a mask.

Clown

A slapstick character who achieved immense popularity outside the Harlequinade, the Clown existed in the Commedia dell'arte in a form immediately recognizable to those who are familiar with the standard circus clown character of today.

The Clown character, who should not be confused with Harlequin despite the modern adaptation of Harlequin as a whiteface clown, serves as a foil for Harlequin's slyness and adroit nature. The Clown is a buffoon or fool who resembles less a jester than a comical idiot. He performs in the Harlequinade in pantomime.

Pantaloon

Traditionally, Pantaloon (or Pantalone) is a devious, greedy merchant of Venice-- a typical character of the Commedia dell'arte. He is taken in readily by the various tricks and schemes of Harlequin to the great amusement of the audience, to whom the Harlequin's tricks are readily visible.

Pantaloon's costume usually includes a red tight-fitting vest and breeches ensemble, slippers, a skullcap, a comically oversized hooked nose, and a grubby grey goatee.

In the English Harlequinade, popular in 18th-century London, Pantaloon emerged as a greedy and overly-amorous character in the Commedia dell'arte.

Harliquenade Costume:

• A black mask, which allows the actor to lift it and reveal himself sometimes. Other times it is lowered to keep the actor from the audience's view. It has tiny eyeholes and quizzically arched eyebrows.
• Traditional diamond checkered pants (usually alternating blue, green, and red diamonds)
• Peasant's shirt
• Batte, or slapstick

Other theatrical credits

Harlequinade is a play by Terence Rattigan. It was first performed on September 8, 1948 at the Phoenix Theatre, London, along with The Browning Version. Terence Rattigan — British Playwright Sir Terence Mervyn Rattigan (June 10, 1911 – November 30, 1977) was one of Englands most important 20th century dramatists. ... September 8 is the 251st day of the year (252nd in leap years). ... 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1948 calendar). ... Phoenix is the name of serveral major theatres. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Terence Rattigans play, The Browning Version, was first performed on September 8, 1948 at the Phoenix Theatre, London, in a joint performance with Harlequinade. ...

Harlequin's Millions or Harlequinade is a ballet originally created by the choreographer Marius Petipa and the composer Riccardo Drigo for the Imperial Ballet of St. Petersburg, Russia. It was first performed on February 10, 1900 at the Hermitage Theatre, then on February 13, 1900 at the Mariinsky Theatre, with Mathilde Kschessinska as Columbine, Georgi Kiaksht as Harlequin, Olga Preobrajenska as Pierrette, and Sergei Lukianov as Pierrot. George Balanchine staged an important revival of the work in honor of the ballet's 65th anniversary for the New York City Ballet, premiering February 4, 1965 with the ballet being retitled as Harlequinade. The leading dancers were Patricia Mcbride as Columbine, Edward Vilella as Harlequin, Suki Schorer as Pierrette, and Deni Lamont as Pierrot. Also, fantasty writer Neil Gaiman published a modern interpritation of the classic characters in his short story collection 'Fragile Things.' Marius Petipa, Circa 1890 Marius Petipa (11 March 1818 – 14 July 1910) - Unrivaled ballet master of the Tsars Imperial Ballet of St. ... Riccardo Drigo, Circa 1900 Riccardo Eugenio Drigo (June 30, 1846 - October 1, 1930) was an Italian composer and conductor who spent many years working with the Saint Petersburg Imperial Ballet and Imperial Opera. ... Carlotta Brianza and Paul Gerdt of the Imperial Ballet as Princess Aurora and Prince Desire in the 1890 premiere of the Sleeping Beauty. ... Saint Petersburg  listen (Russian: Санкт-Петербу́рг, English transliteration: Sankt-Peterburg), colloquially known as Питер (transliterated Piter), formerly known as Leningrad (Ленингра́д, 1924–1991... Interior of the Hermitage Theatre. ... The Maryinsky (or Mariinsky) Theatre (or Theater), is the St Petersburg theatre where the Mariinsky Ballet is located. ... Mathilde Kschessinska (Polish: Matylda KrzesiÅ„ska, 19 August 1872 (O.S.) — 7 June 1971), (also known as Her Serene Highness Princess Romanova-Krasinskaya since 1921) was a Polish-born ballerina and the second prima ballerina assoluta in the world. ... Olga Preobrajenska (1871-1962) was probably the best loved ballerina of the Russian Imperial Ballet. ... George Balanchine (January 9 (O.S.) = January 22 (N.S.), 1904–April 30, 1983) was one of the 20th centurys foremost choreographers, and one of the founders of American ballet. ... Logo of the New York City Ballet The New York City Ballet is a ballet company founded in 1948 by choreographer George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein originally known as the American Ballet. ...

Other media

"Harlequinade" is the name of an episode of Batman: The Animated Series that features the character Harley Quinn. The animated Batman shoots his grappling gun from a rooftop in a scene from the episode, On Leather Wings. ... Harley Quinn (real name Dr. Harleen Quinzel) is a fictional character in the animated series Batman: The Animated Series, as well as the DC Comics Batman series and its spin-offs, and subsequently in various Batman-related comic books. ...

The Harlequinade is a recurring trio of characters in The Invisibles comic book series. Cover to The Invisibles (v2) #1. ... A comic book is a magazine or book containing the art form of comics. ...