The interest of stage practitioners and amateur theaters in the improvisational theater form Commedia dell'arte, which has been popular since the 16th century, is very high. Consequently, this collection of thirteen contributions aims to showcase the paths and results of research through historical overviews, reports on the current state of knowledge, and scientific investigations into the genesis and poetic conditions of Commedia dell'arte.

Contents:

• Inge Krengel-Strudthoff, Commedia dell'arte in Europe. An Attempt at an Overview of Its Recent Research
• Rudolf Rieks, Mimus and Atellane. Improvised Performance Forms of Roman Theater
• Wolfgang Theile, Commedia dell'arte. Improvisational Theater in Italy and France
• Dieter Wuttke, Harlequin's Transformations
• Max J. Wolff, The Commedia dell'arte
• Franz Rauhut, The Italian Improvisational Comedy in Bavaria
• Luigi Falchi, Carlo Goldoni and the Actors of Commedia dell'arte
• Albert Gier, Harlequin Learns to Sing. Figures of Commedia dell'arte in Musical Theater.