From the traditions of Japan’s Noh theatre, to Bali’s Topeng and Italy’s Commedia Dell’Arte, masked theatre has fascinated Eastern and Western cultures for centuries. The art continues to evolve and develop, however, with some companies experimenting with blending the East and West forms. For Douglas Thompson, co-founder of Britain’s Alter Ego Masks theatre company, it’s about creating a contemporary approach to mask theatre by building on its historical roots.
‘I am fascinated with Commedia Dell’Arte, both in its historical context and what the form can offer to modern performers and audiences,’ he enthuses. ‘Commedia has immediacy, a vernacular ability and a complicite with a live audience.’
