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The Southern Cross : November 2010
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Page 10 November 2010 The Southern Cross www.adelaide.catholic.org.au news By Rebecca DiGirolamo The ancient art which transformed acting into a profession is making a comeback in Adelaide with the city's leading expert sharing the unique techniques of Commedia dell'arte with Catholic teachers and students. "It gave birth to theatre," says Adelaide-born actress Corinna Di Niro. "It allowed women to act on the stage (as female characters) and allowed acting to become a profession." Commedia dell'arte is a form of theatre that began in Italy in the mid-sixteenth century and is typified by masked characters. The more well-known are "Pulcinella" -- the white-costumed clown with a long, black nose and "Arlecchino" -- the harlequin. Born in Adelaide to Italian parents, 29-year-old Corinna was enamored by the comedic theatrics of the Cirque du Soleil performers in 2003. "I got a job as an usher for the show when it came to Adelaide. I saw it about 60 times and I fell in love with it. I thought: 'I want to join the circus!'" After inquiring how best to join the troupe, Corinna was told to first learn Commedia dell'arte. A year later she was studying with internationally acclaimed actor, author and director Antonio Fava at his school of Commedia dell'arte in Italy. The four-month course of intense acrobatics, slap-stick and stage fighting, mask making, and study of over 40 traditional characters has returned Corinna to Adelaide as a leading specialist in the field. She was recently commissioned by the South Australian Art Gallery to produce a Commedia dell'arte performance for primary school students as part of the gallery's Italian Day. The 30-minute world premier of "The Marriage of Flavio and Isabella" took place on October 3 and is available to schools across the state this school term. "I love Commedia because it has universal themes and it can tackle any subject," says Corinna. She is running workshops for Adelaide teachers and students, including those at several Adelaide Catholic schools, and is keen to debunk some of the myths associated with the art form as just comic street theatre. She says Commedia can offer teachers in the arts, drama and languages -- particularly Italian -- an alternative from of expression for young and older students. "It gives me so much joy to see people tackling Commedia and breaking down the stereotypes. It can be so much more than just children's theatre." ̨ Corinna's next Commedia Workshop for teachers is on November 13 and is open to all primary, secondary & adult teachers. Registrations close November 9. For more information contact Corinna on 0403 919 247 or email to corinna_ diniro@yahoo.com.au SLAPSTICK FUN: (L-R) Concordia College students James Lainas and Rebecca Mills perform with Adelaide Commedia dell' artisan Corinna Di Niro in the world premier of "The Marriage of Flavio and Isabella" at the SA Art Gallery. Photo: Saul Steed Commedia unmasked Funeral Directors Frank J Siebert Life changing. When you engage in Funeral ritual, you acknowledge life passed, give meaning to life lived, encounter your sense of loss, and your journey of grieving. When someone we love dies, we touch the mystery of life changing, not ending. Signature Service ... since 1867 Dedicated to Faith-centred Funerals Phone (08) 8223 5879 24 hours 7 days 49 Wakefield Street, Adelaide 5000. Proprietor and Manager B Siebert Mount Carmel College student Harry Anderson has been awarded a Pride of Australia medal for his role in saving the lives of two teenage boys and a 60- year-old woman from drowning whilst on holiday in Tasmania earlier this year. Harry's heroic rescue of the teenage boys caught in rip on a beach on the eastern coast of Tasmania was immediately followed by returning to the surf to respond to the cries of a woman in crisis after being caught in the same rip. Harry's long association with the North Haven Surf Life Saving Club provided him with the skills to respond calmly, bringing the three people safely back to shore, and reassuring them while waiting for help to arrive. Year 8 student Harry reflected it was purely chance that he and his family were at that beach on the afternoon in question due to an accident that had occurred earlier in the day. While walking in some of Tasmania's wilderness, Harry's Dad had slipped, badly twisting an ankle. The closest location at which they could get medical attention was in Bicheno. Having had his Dad's ankle seen to, which took most of the day, the late afternoon surf at the Redbill Beach seemed a good outcome for Harry and his brother. It was when returning to shore from the surf that Harry became aware of the people in trouble being taken out to sea by the rip. He responded by dropping his boogie board and diving back in to swim out to save them. Harry has considered the unusual turn of events that happened that day that saw him be present on Redbill Beach at the moment these three people were in trouble. Harry has been recognised in the PRIDE OF AUSTRALIA awards with the presentation of the 'Child of Courage' medal which was presented recently. "We are extremely proud to have Harry as a member of our College Community in the knowledge of the great example he sets to all of us, staff, students and parents, of selfless service to others," said Mount Carmel College's Acting Principal Gavin McGlaughlin. Heroic Harry
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