“A short pantomime”
(Barbara Segal, Frank Perenboom)
Barbara Segal and Frank Perenboom, from the performing group Chalemie, present a short extract from their re-working of early 18th century pantomime. This was the most popular form of theatrical entertainment in many parts of Europe throughout the 18th century, and it was an important medium for the performance of dance. Commedia dell’Arte characters were a significant ingredient in this art form, which generally combined both serious and comic interludes. In this comic extract, based on commedia, source material has been taken from notated dances of the period, together with original music from 18th century pantomimes. The fantastic stage machinery and special effects of the original pantomimes cannot be reproduced at Rothenfels, but the intention is to convey some of the flavour of 18th century dance and mime as it may have appeared in the pantomimes of the period.
Barbara Segal, London, Great Britain
Barbara is based in London where she works in the field of Early Dance as performer, teacher and choreographer. She is director of both Chalemie and Contretemps, groups dedicated to the reconstruction of 18th century dance and music theatre. She has performed and taught throughout Europe, the Baltic States and Australia, as well as at many festivals, theatres and stately homes in the UK. She has collaborated with and toured for the Early Music Network and the British Council. She organizes and teaches at the Chalemie Summer School (specialising in early dance, commedia, period costume-making, music and singing) held annually in Oxford; she also teaches early dance at The Royal Academy of Dance in London. She holds a Doctorate in Psychology from London University (LSE).
