The Italians in England by Action Theatre (Italy)
Theatre (comedy, new writing)
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Venue 53theSpace @ Surgeons' Hall - Fleming Theatre
- 12:25
- Aug 24
- 50 minutes
- Country: Italy
- Group: Action Theatre (Italy)
- Warnings and additional info: Contains mild sexual references
- Accessibility: May not apply to all performances. You'll find more information about accessibile performances and how to book tickets in the accessibility tab below.
- Babes in arms policy: Babies do not require a ticket
- Policy applies to: Children under 18 months
Description
1572. Shakespeare is some years away but Commedia dell’Arte’s combination of mask, comedy, wild plots, hilarious improvisation and women performing on stage is taking Europe by storm. Queen Elizabeth I insists on seeing the Italian players at her royal court. With leather half masks, exquisite costumes and live music, professional company Action Theatre (Italy) adapt Flaminio Scala’s original canovaccio, Il Vecchio Geloso (The Jealous Old Man), which includes a lunch invaded by wild boar. Servants and masters seek love and raw passion and reality collide at the Doctor's house outside Venice.Please note that while all media gallery content is provided by verified members of the event, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society does not review or approve this content before it is posted. Reports of inappropriate content or copyright infringement can be directed to [email protected].
General venue access
- Accessible entry: Ramp into building.
- Stairs: Information not supplied
Wheelchair access type: Permanent Ramp
Each venue can contain several space with different accessibly information. Visit the venue page for full venue accessibility info
How and when to make an access booking
- Phone: +44 (0)131 226 0002
- Email: [email protected]
- Textphone: +44 (0)7860 018 299
- Find out more about access at the Fringe.
Our access tickets service is available to anyone who:
- Would like to book specific accessibility services, e.g. a hearing loop, audio description headsets, captioning units, seating in relation to the location of the BSL interpreter
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- Is a wheelchair user
- Requires a complimentary personal assistant ticket to attend a performance
Alasdair Scott about 4 hours ago
I was interested to learn something about commedia dell’arte as well as to be entertained, and this show delivered on both. The story of the group behind the show, the masks, and their mission is also very interesting - some research is recommended. The show itself is a hilarious farcical romp, great fun, and gives a flavour of what commedia dell’arte must have been like long ago. Well done to all involved, and well worth seeing; highly recommended.
Vanessa 12 days ago
I loved this show. Just didn’t want it to end. Amazing performances and what a funny story! Thank you
Alisha 14 days ago
I didn't want the show to end! I was so lucky to catch the last show of the Fringe. Each and every member of the cast were superb and immensely talented -gifted. My daughter who is 11 and not easily pleased LOVED every second of the performance as well. I wish I was brave enough to lead a standing ovation as I'm certain that everyone else at the venue would have followed suit. I can't wait a whole year to see them again... I wish an opportunity presents itself sooner!!!
George Cleaver 17 days ago
Didn’t know if commedia dell’arte would be for me, but this was just brilliant! Hilarious performances all around, fun plot, great masks and costumes, and a fantastic cast. Pedrolino had us in absolute stitches!
Eddie Reynolds, www.theatreeddys.com 19 days ago
“The Italians in England”
It’s Queen Elizabeth’s birthday; Shakespeare has not yet appeared to entertain in the early years of her reign; and she is bored with English ballad singers. What she wants for her next birthday is the current rage in all other royal courts but hers: the Italians and their Commedia dell’Arte. Action Theatre Italy premieres Rupert Raison’s “The Italians in England,” bringing to the 21st century the 16th century Il Vecchio Geloso (The Jealous Old Man), adapted from an original canovaccio by Flaminio Scala. The ten professional actors who helped Raison develop the production in a workshop three years ago now perform the farcical, laugh-out loud romp of comedy and music, with half the cast in leather half-masks and all in elaborate costumes of the period and genre. The direction is uncannily superb as even something as simple/complicated as heads turning back and forth in rapid and orchestrated succession repeatedly bring the house down in laughter. Raw passions, a jealous husband, horny servants and masters, and attacking wild boars are just a few of the hilarious surprises awaiting the show’s lucky audiences.
Rating: 5 E
June Taylor 20 days ago
I’d never seen commedia dell’arte before but I’m a big Shakespeare fan and this is an earlier form of theatre from Italy (my favourite country) and part of the history of how theatre developed as a type of culture / performance, and something that I’ve never had the chance to see before. I didn’t know what to expect but I found it hugely enjoyable and, in the end, heartwarming. The action is very stylised, with lots of slapstick and physical comedy, more like a Carry On film than a serious play, and all the characters were perfectly drawn and acted superbly for their full comic potential. And I loved the way all the characters were brought into the happy vibe at the ending.
Carol Mott 21 days ago
Superbly acted, hilarious, loved the use of masks. Never a boring moment . Highly recommend this show.
Sean Davis 21 days ago
Italians in England by Action Theatre (Italy) (****)
A young man connives to have a tryst with the young wife of a rich old man by arranging a dinner at the villa of a shared old doctor friend. From an abused fool to a cowardly captain to the rich cuckold, all of the elements of Italian commedia dell’arte are here, and performed perfectly and exuberantly. The bawdy jokes, broad humor, and ribald plot form a perfect blend.
This is the 18th most enjoyable of the 111 shows I have seen so far at the Fringe this year. I hope to see more than 150 this year. You may see my other three-sentence reviews, in order from most enjoyable to worst, at my non-commercial website: https://fringefan.com/
Shannon Black 21 days ago
Side splittingly funny
Michael Mecek 21 days ago
What delightfully energetic play! The performances alone capture the spirit of Comedia del Arte, on top of the marvelous production design and masterful direction. Highly recommend!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
lucie rowan 21 days ago
One of the best shows I've seen so far with an extremely talented cast and delightful musical moments. There's no dead time, it's so funny and lively and compelling from start to finish! Excellent introduction to the comedia dell'arte. Give me more of this!
Samuel Cunningham 23 days ago
A classic comedic style done right! The energy of the cast was electric with brilliant performances across the board. Very funny throughout and with some lovely self accompanied music to tie the absurd hilarity all together. The best Commedia D’el Arte Troupe I have ever seen.
Steffan Eldridge 23 days ago
I had an absolute romp watching this! An absolutely fabulous show with gorgeous masks, absurd comedic acting, and great singing. High-energy and engaging throughout, with a super talented bunch of performers that had my sides splitting!
Alison 24 days ago
A bawdy romp expertly performed by a group of talented Anglo/Italian actors. A delight to watch. I hope they return in future years!
Thomas Noriega 24 days ago
The utter ridiculousness of the commedia form may distract you from the fact that the cast is comprised of extremely talented comic actors, equally adept at improvisation and scripted comedic timing. Great costumes, gorgeous masks, and some extremely clever comedic moments. Definitely planning to watch again
Kyle Attwood 25 days ago
If you want fun, energetic, music and interaction
This is the show for you
The use of the half masks to get you drawn into the Commedia dell’Arte art form and the whole story of which is very similar to “One man, two Gov’ner” you’ll be laughing from start to finish
5*
Jay Ray 26 days ago
The Italians in England is exactly the kind of show I look for at the Edinburgh festival. It's hugely entertaining - and also feels like it offers a unique insight into what commedia dell'arte must have been like. The Italians in England is bawdy, cleverly staged, fast-paced, anarchic, hilarious and musical - and makes some of the best use of half mask I've ever seen. It's also one of the most purely joyous shows on the fringe. To me this show is a must see.
Esme Davis 27 days ago
I don't think I stopped laughing for a second throughout this show, the energy was just contagious and the audience gets completely swept up into the chaos of it, whenever you thought you knew what was going to happen next, you were proved completely wrong in the most unexpected and creative way. I'd recommend this show to anyone looking for a good laugh this Fringe.
Liz Hall 29 days ago
A brilliant troupe of performers, with a wonderfully silly story. Lots of laughs. I was so glad to get a chance to see this Commedia Dell'arte show. Thoroughly recommend.
Ronan Hatfull 29 days ago
This is a fantastic show. So educational about commedia and full of fantastic performances across the ensemble. We couldn't stop smiling! If you want to start your day in the best possible and most positive way, then look no further.
Sandra Fawcett 31 days ago
Wow - I absolutely loved this show! This is number 1 of the 25 shows I’ve been to this Fringe. Riotously hilarious and well acted by a troupe of talented performers
Lorenzo Novani 31 days ago
Wonderful commedia show!
12.25 at Surgeon's Hall @spaceuk.
The Italians in England by Action Theatre (Italy).
High energy, utterly ridiculous, hysterically funny. Go see it.
Congrats to all involved
STEPHEN DAVIS 32 days ago
A profoundly comic experience delivered with great skill and real panache!
Anne Thomson 32 days ago
Absolutely loved this show. Hysterically funny.
Extremely well presented. Been to 12 shows already, and this is in the top three
Lexi Wolfe 34 days ago
Gloriously silly, hilariously risque and just all round fun. I laughed the whole way through. If you want the same and love your cute, old-style, slapstick, double-entendre, musically-dotted shows that feels like real commedia dell'Arte where the company just works well together, this is well worth it.
Moira Hamilton 35 days ago
Go see this show! What an awesome use of the form, this commedia made me laugh way more than I expected to, and the physical comedy is clean and well rehearsed. Perfect place for a show like this. I guarantee you will laugh.
Chris 35 days ago
Brilliant, go see it, so original, so loved that! Very italian
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British Theatre Guide 16 days ago
UKTW 16 days ago
Fringe Review 16 days ago
Get Your Coats On 16 days ago
UK Theatre Web 29 days ago
Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.
Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.