From Arlecchino to Harlequin : Italian actors on the English stage

Abstract

The history of the Commedia dell'Arte is characterized partly by the extensive travelling accomplished by the actors. Italian professional companies set out from the different towns and city states and practically covered the whole of Europe in search of work and a livelihood, offering the only thing at their disposal: their ability, techniques and training, and in this way, exporting their theatre far and wide. The suppleness of their art, the fact that it was not confined within rigid structure, but was continually re-elaborated, made it easy to link with different local theatre forms. Progressively, new characteristics and new genres evolved from this alliance, acquiring a recognized statute within the particular country. [Excerpt]