STATUS

Il Capitano (The Captain) is a bragadocious, arrogant, egocentric man feigning machismo. Behind this thick façade of manliness and courage, he is, in fact, a timid coward afraid of most everything. He probably is not a Captain in an army, but because he moves around from city to city, he is able to pretend he has higher status than he really should. Il Capitano is feared by the townspeople only because he puts on a convincing (albeit absurd) show of intimidation.

NAME

The actor who plays Il Capitano can make the characters name up. Usually the name is big, long, and made to sound important. When I play this character, I use: "Il Magnificum Terriblus Banania Englebert Humperdink Capitano Esquire the Third, son of Zeus, father and brother of Jupiter."

COSTUME

Il Capitano's costume is a satire on the military. Huge boots swallow his feet, if not part of his legs; He has a ruffled, fancy hat and a military jacket -- anything that mocks the fighting institution. He wears a sword on his belt, but never uses it. If it is drawn for some reason, he is overwhelmed and terrified.

MASK

There are two types of Capitano masks. The one shown below exhibits stern features and a long phallic nose and large eye holes. The second variety has a small nose and a more comical face: smaller eyes, a mustache and larger cheeks.

Il Capitano tries to make himself seen at all times. His feet and legs are far apart in order to make himself appear more mighty and strong. His chest sticks out, puffed up with his shoulders broad. He walks in large strides, lifting his leg up as far as possible and then placing it down mere inches from where it started. His back is straight, and he prances with a bounce in his step. All of his walks are very showy and as a result, quite slow.

Il Capitano's run is prompted by any loud sound, scary object or from being overwhelmed. When this happens, he drops everything, throws his head back, kicks his feet forward and howls is fear. Just like in his walk, he picks his legs up high, but puts them down close to where they started.

GESTURES

Il Capitano is a piteous coward. Completely opposite from his façade, he is frightened all too easily. When he sees anything he deems a threat (particularly mice) he shakes down to a squat making himself as small as possible and whimpers. Il Capitano brags about his sexual prowess and fierceness is battle, but is overwhelmed by women and terrified of confrontation. He wants to be seen at all times. Craving attention, he stops when he sees the audience and presents himself by showing off. The audience should realize from the start that everything that The Captain does is a farce and betrays his rough exterior.

PLOT FUNCTION

Il Capitano must always fall at the end of every Canovacci. Events always unfold to show his blind cowardice.