Commedia dell'arte

This video can be used as an introduction to the main elements and characters of Commedia dell’arte

Commedia dell'arte, meaning "comedy of the profession" was an early form of professional theatre, originating from Italy, that was popular in Europe from the 16th to the 18th century. The characters of the Commedia usually represent fixed social types and stock characters, such as foolish old men, devious servants, or military officers full of false bravado.