Melodrama - The Art of Comedy

Ole Brekke, the founder The Commedia School in Copenhagen Denmark, is giving a workshop in Istanbul from 14-18 March at BeReZe House. Dedicated to the art of comedy, The Commedia School teaches in many different, but related, styles of theatre. Each style has its defining physicality and movement. This workshop will introduce the students to individual and collective aspects of the Melodrama style and that which makes it particularly alive in our world of today. The students will enjoy learning physical skills demanded by melodrama and the scene structure that defines Melodrama.

Melodrama has a bad name in theatre circles today even though it is tremendously popular in film and TV the world over. During this study the students discover what makes this style alive on stage and relevant to the lives of today’s public. They also develop the movement skills unique to melodrama and vital to making this style alive. The study of melodrama explores that dramatic territory that lies between farce and tragedy touching both at opposite extremes, at one end comic, and at the other end tragic. Working as an ensemble, the students discover how they can move the public’s emotions between these extremes by studying those demands particular to the melodramatic space. Melodrama emerged in the mid 19th century as an art form addressing the social and economic circumstances of the time. The similar circumstances we face today make melodrama a very relevant theatre form.

Instructor: Ole Brekke
Date: 14 - 18 March 2022
Time: 10:00 - 12:30 + 13:30 - 16:00
Total: 5 days / 25 hours
Language: English - with Turkish translation
Place: BeReZe Performance House
Address: Lüleci Hendek Cd. 20/A Beyoğlu - Istanbul

For info and application please send an e-mail to tiyatrobereze@gmail.com.