IL Dottore (the doctor)
Dottor Balanzone
Il Dottore is high in the commedia social hierarchy along with the other old men like Il Capitano and Pantalone. Il Dottore is a doctor, however it is questionable whether he has ever attended a school. Nevertheless, Il Dottore maintains his high status because he make it seem as though he knows what he is talking about. He blabbers in fake Latin, on and on. The lower class characers are awed by his so called "knowledge" and so he maintains his status. Like all the old men, however, he is always shown up as a fraud at the end of the play.
Il Dottore preforms in a long jacket with a black coat that goes all the way down to his ankles. Black shoes accessorize his feet and a skull cap is worn on his head. Il Dottore is a very fat man, so if the actor is not himself large, a pillow is strapped about the stomach. The mask covers just the eyes and the nose leaving the cheeks exposed. Because The Doctor is very fat and he enjoys drinking, the nose is bulbous and the forehead high. The actor's cheeks are usually reddened to show the affects of the liquor.
Il Dottore stands with his great weight on the back of his heels and his stomach slopped forward, hands gesturing with every word. Il Dottore always walks when he talks. Instead of in a straight line, he moves in figure eights using tiny steps. His weight makes it difficult for him to move fast so his prominent stomach is the focus of attention.
l Dottore gives the other actors a break by taking up space and time to talk. He is usually onstage for a long time, having to be removed either physically (while still talking) or after having been convinced that he should go in order to free up the stage.
Il Dottore preforms in a long jacket with a black coat that goes all the way down to his ankles. Black shoes accessorize his feet and a skull cap is worn on his head. Il Dottore is a very fat man, so if the actor is not himself large, a pillow is strapped about the stomach. The mask covers just the eyes and the nose leaving the cheeks exposed. Because The Doctor is very fat and he enjoys drinking, the nose is bulbous and the forehead high. The actor's cheeks are usually reddened to show the affects of the liquor.
Il Dottore stands with his great weight on the back of his heels and his stomach slopped forward, hands gesturing with every word. Il Dottore always walks when he talks. Instead of in a straight line, he moves in figure eights using tiny steps. His weight makes it difficult for him to move fast so his prominent stomach is the focus of attention.
l Dottore gives the other actors a break by taking up space and time to talk. He is usually onstage for a long time, having to be removed either physically (while still talking) or after having been convinced that he should go in order to free up the stage.