Teacher Workshop: Accidental Death of an Anarchist

Wed 19th Feb 2025

16:00-17:00 (UTC)

FREE!

Practical exploration of ways into characterisation and comic techniques. Demonstration and discussion of how commedia dell’arte techniques and stock characters can be used to enhance A level written responses.

It is well-documented that Fo was influenced by Commedia dell’Arte, frequently modelling himself, in role, as a Harlequin-type character in his productions. This play is not a commedia dell’arte piece however, the characters do bear semblance to several of the stock character types from Commedia and study of these stock types can aid the student’s understanding and ideas for rehearsing as a director or actor and can also provide material for discussing design elements.

Ideal for teaching AQA, Edexcel or Eduqas.

Key Takeaways:

• Developing the language of farce, satire and commedia needed for writing at greater depth.

• Character study using animals, tension states and Commedia dell’Arte stock types to encourage students into their bodies and to allow the characters to leap from the page so that the comedy can be seen, heard and experienced.

About the Workshop Leader:

Cheryl Stapleton is a performer, director, and theatre teacher with over 30 years of expertise in commedia dell'arte and physical comedy. Trained under John Rudlin at Centre Sèlavy, at École Philippe Gaulier and at Antonio Fava's Scuola Internazionale dell’Attore Comico. A Brunel University Drama graduate and trained dancer, Cheryl founded Learning Through Theatre in 2013, and is now internationally recognised for her performance-education to schools, universities, and institutions worldwide. She delivers text specific workshops on A Servant of Two Masters and Accidental Death of an Anarchist.