To celebrate Global Commedia Day later this Wednesday, February 25, here are three more facts about commedia dell'arte!

➤The theatrical term "slapstick" described comedic stage combat originated from commedia, specifically from the batte carried by or used upon the harlequin fool
➤Though commedia was improvised to a brief outline scenario, most plays had scripted and memorized moments of short scenes, dialogue, or physical comedic bits called lazzi (singular lazzo) that often did not enhance the plot but could be inserted into many plays
➤The most famous actor of commedia in the Italian Renaissance was Isabella Andrieni of i Gelosi who had fan clubs and wrote plays and poetry inspiring many troupes today to use the name for a more clever and self-determined amorosa in contrast to the typically ditzy innamorati

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