Pantomime of Mastro Campo in Mezzojuso
The pantomime of the Mastro di Campo is the re-enactment of a historical fact that took place in Mezzojuso: the assault that the Count of Modica made on the Castle to conquer the Queen Bianca of Navarre.
The re-enactment of this event comes to life every year in the Carnival party in Mezzojuso.
The Pantomina begins with the arrival of the royal procession made up of the King, the Queen, the dignitaries, the ladies, the Secretary, the Artificer, some guards and the Moors. After going around the square, the group climbs onto a stage, which represents the castle, and starts a dancing party.
While they are dancing, the Engineers of the Mastro di Campo arrive in the square, armed with telescopes, surveyor and a huge compass. They measure the distance of the castle from a hypothetical point in the square where the Mastro di Campo will be able to place the artillery. Mastro di Campo then arrives on horseback. The hero wears a red wax mask with a hooked nose and prominent lower lip, a white shirt filled with colored ribbons, trousers and a red cape. Following the martial rhythm of a large drum, he squirms, shakes, with his head held high, his left arm at his side and in his right a light and small wooden sword. The Tammurinaru, the Ambassador, Garibaldi with the Garibaldini, the Artillery Captain, the Baron and the Baroness on two donkeys, followed by their men, are part of Mastro Campo's procession.
The Mastro di Campo goes around the square, then stops in front of the castle, gets off his horse, consults with the Engineers and sends a letter of challenge to the King with the Ambassador. Having read the general's intentions, the King replies contemptuously. At the King's answer, the Mastro di Campo, in the throes of a very strong agitation, grabs the sword, leaps into the circle previously drawn on the ground by the Engineers and begins a war dance to the rhythm of the drum. Dance throughout the square, even among the people. The King, on the castle, paces nervously. The Queen is in trepidation. At a certain point, the Artillery Captain commands the Artificer to fire the cannon against the castle from which other cannon fire comes. Throughout the square there is a hubbub of sounds, shots, noises. Added to this are the charges of the Garibaldini who launch themselves against the Moors guarding the castle. The Cavalry runs around the square throwing handfuls of sugared almonds into the crowd, which often responds in the same way. The Baron and the Baroness on their donkeys give everyone smiles and sugared almonds. Meanwhile the Magicians, in their black robes, repeat over and over forio-forio and look for the find. There are men who eat bread, sausage, cheese, dried figs and fennel with plenty of wine. The public also participates in the generous snack. The Mastro di Campo climbs the ladder placed in front of the castle and thus arrives in the presence of the King, with whom he clashes in a duel that does not resolve anything. The hero, by means of a staircase placed behind the stage, la scala fausa, then manages to meet the Queen, very brief and furtive encounters. Finally the central duel takes place. The Mastro di Campo collides with the King and is wounded on the forehead. The Mastro di Campo, believed to be dead, is carried away by his men with a quick and solemn retreat. Thus ends the first part of the representation.
In the interval the Magicians stop under the castle, dig and finally here is the find: a cantaru, or rather the container of macaroni and sausage that they eat with their hands, trying to offer some to the amused crowd as well. The Baron and the Baroness, believed to be relatives of the Mastro di Campo, put in mourning. In the castle of the King they dance and celebrate victory.
In the second part of the representation it is discovered that the Mastro di Campo is not dead and, having recovered from his wounds, he returns to the square with his army. The fight begins again and Mastro di Campo and the Garibaldini stealthily ascend the usual scala fausa and surround the Court and chain the King. The Mastro di Campo, taking off his mask, finally embraces the Queen. A procession is then formed which will parade through the main streets of the town. The Mastro di Campo extends his arm to the Queen; the King parades in chains. Thus ends the great celebration of Mezzojuso.
