Commedia dell'arte

Timeline

1. 1545–1553Padua · PaduaEight men formed a 'fraternity' before a notary, led by Cei Maffeo (also known as Zanino of Padua). The contract stipulated obedience to the troupe leader in assigning roles, 'performing his comedies' in various places, and splitting income equally. This separated actors from city festival or court amateur performances, making them a touring, contractable professional company. Venetian rustic comedies such as those by Angelo Beolco (Ruzante) were their direct predecessors.
2. 1550–1600cities of northern Italy · northern ItalyTroupes gradually fixed types such as the old merchant Pantalone, the pedant doctor, the servant Zanni (later developing into Arlecchino), the maidservant, and a pair of lovers. Masked performers improvised from scenario outlines, interspersed with lazzi comic bits. Famous troupes such as the Gelosi toured between courts and public squares, and actresses appeared publicly, establishing professional theatre in Italian cities. Relatively complete performance records existed by around 1568.
3. 1570European courts and urban theatres · EuropeItalian professional troupes brought stock characters to France, Spain, Germany, and England, influencing court masques, Shakespearean comedy, and later pantomime. In the 18th century Goldoni rewrote the improvisational tradition and Gozzi revived improvised fairy-tale plays; from the 19th century onward, stock characters entered modern directing pedagogy. As a replicable model of professional performance, it outlasted any single play script.