Commedia dell'arte and the church

The consideration is given to a series of problems that assailed the world of the commedia dell’arte from outside. Its contentious relationship with religious authorities led to the imposition of censorship in Catholic countries and to prohibitions and restrictions in regions of Protestant persuasion. Not only is the condemnation of the theatre by religious institutions examined, but emphasis is also placed on their attempts at ‘reforming’ and ‘moralising’ it. The positions taken by the church varied between the issuance of vetoes and restrictions on the one hand and the recognition of the attraction of the theatre on the other. They are the subject of a broad literature which emphasises the constant, careful attention paid by the church to actors, actresses and their performances.