Commedia dell'arte troupes

Commedia dell'arte was a form of Italian theater that emerged in the 16th century, characterized by its use of stock characters, improvised dialogue, and lively physical comedy. Troupes, or groups of performers, traveled from town to town, entertaining audiences with short plays, often based on everyday life and social themes. Each troupe included distinctive characters, such as Harlequin, the clever servant, and Pantalone, the greedy merchant, who interacted in humorous and exaggerated ways. This style influenced modern comedy and theater, emphasizing expressive movement and improvisation, making performances lively and relatable to various audiences.