Theater department presents classic characters in unique way

    A story of love, mistaken identity and a servant’s scheme to thicken his wallet all come together in the Renaissance classic, “The Servant of Two Masters” by Carlo Goldoni.
    The show opened Thursday and is at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday at Robert E. Johnson Theater. A matinee is at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.
    Angi Hanan, assistant professor of theater, is directing the play.  This is her first play since she came to Murray State this year.
    “This play was written in the late 18th century and we have used a modern adaptation of it,” Hanan said. “Originally, it was a comedia del arte play, which is a very particular style of comedy.”
    Hanan said, Comedia del arte is a physical style of acting in which all of the characters have various physicalities that distinguish and develop the character portrayed.
    “The Servant of Two Masters” has many different plots and sub-plots, but Hanan said the main story is about a servant who decides to work for two masters without revealing his double employment to either one.
    Originally, much of the play was improvised and relied on the use of stock characters. The actors would have a basic outline of the plot and would improvise the rest of the play.
    Hanan and her students used a script, although many other versions did not.
    Matthew Collins, senior from Marion, Ky., plays the character Panatalone.
    Panatalone is a stingy older man with distinct physical features.
    “Each character has a specific movement,” Collins said. “My character is very drawn in as if he is always counting money. If you were the love interest in the show, you would lead with your chest like you are trying to find your mate.”
    Because the characters are classic Collins said the performers had to take the information they were given and find out how they wanted to portray their own character.
    Hanan said Collins has one of the most extreme physicalities of anyone in the play. She said most of her students did not realize how difficult it is to learn how to maintain their posture for long periods of time.
    Cast members participated in a week-long workshop to learn the physical features of the characters they are portraying.
    “This play has a quick pace,” Hanan said. “There is a lot of action and almost an acrobatic quality to the movement of the characters. This style of comedy is different because it requires so much energy.”
    Hanan said performing in this particular play is a great opportunity for students as they are able to participate in a Renaissance.
    Hanan said although “The Servant of Two Masters” is a little out of the ordinary and may push some boundaries but she hopes audience members are able to watch it with an open mind and take a good look at the human experience presented in the play.
    “There’s something in this show for everyone and I hope people are able to enjoy it,” Hanan said.   
    Tickets are free for students with a Racercard. Tickets for the general public are $10. For more information on how to reserve tickets, contact the theatre department at 809-4421.
    Jess Nall can be reached at
jessica.nall@murraystate.edu.