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Production

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  Renaissance Stages            The Italian Renaissance brought many new additions to the theatrical scenic element.  A few of these elements fit very well within the script of Mandragola. Firstly, the Italian Renaissance brought the Terence Stage to the theatre. This stage consists of an "ideal city" scape as written by Vitruvius. Elements  of this type of stage include the presence of three doors which are identified at the beginning of the performance and a backdrop. When Sebastian Serlio introduced perspective into theatrical design, he added wings and a floor which slanted in front of this backdrop. Serlio also introduced another important element, which detailed the type of backdrop and setting that should be used for tragic, comic, and pastoral plays. The tragic set should be formal and detailed, the comic set should show a common part of town with angled buildings, and  a pastoral set should show a nature scene.  The Se...
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Modern Adaptations - Rhea

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  The Riverside Shakespeare Company performed The Mandrake, starring Tom Hanks as Callimaco Major difference- a jazz score was added to this production. Films  1965 Mandragola-Italian 2008 Mandrake Root-English -Both of these films remained extremely close to the original story. Several operas were composed titled La Mandragola as well. 1968 Mandrake by Michael Alfreds and Anthony Bowles -The creators of this musical aimed for it to be a little softer and more light-hearted than the original play. Michael Alfreds and Anthony Bowles stated that, “We are meant to enjoy this sensual romp more than we are asked to condemn it”. Main Differences in Musical Adaptation A character was added to the musical  named Doria, who is a Sicilian Servant girl. The NY Times article describes her as the “only character not wandering about in a self-deluded haze” Bowles, the composer, aimed to score this production in a way that humanized the most unlikable characters. For example, The Friar'...
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Characters - Arden

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CHARACTERS                  Callimaco : Capitano /Our protagonist. Just moved back from France. Wants to sleep with Lucrezia. The audience is supposed to sympathize with him.                  Siro : Scrapino . Callimaco's comedic servant.          Messer Nicia:   Pantalone . (Means Money)  Rich fool that wants a son from Lucrezia.            Ligurio :   Pulcinello. ( dualistic character) a rascally marriage broker.                 Sostrata : Tartagila.   Lucrezia's mother. Wants what's "best" for  her family, aka a grandchild.         Friar Timoteo : A corrupt priest. Known to be untrustworthy, and he's candid about this.          Lucrezia: La Signora.  Nicia’s young and beautiful wife...
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Script Analysis - Becca

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Script Analysis - Becca Plot Overview            Published in 1524, Mandragola is a comedic piece that offers a glance into the world of Machiavelli. The play's action takes place in the span of 24 hrs, which is in alignment with the concept of Unity of Time in this time period. It is the story of Callimaco, a young Florentine from Paris. One day he overheard a fellow Florentine tell the Parisians about a woman of extraordinary beauty in Tuscany. Compelled to see her for himself, Callimaco returned to Florence. Once he witnessed her beauty he was determined to have her at any cost. However, there are several problems with his plan. The first is that the woman, Lucrezia, is married and the second that her virtue seems above reproach. Callimaco enlists the help of Ligurio, a rascally marriage broker. Ligurio devises plans to allow Callimaco to have his infatuous moment with Lucrezia.           Pretending to be a doctor, Callimaco...
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