Commedia dell'Arte Bibliography by Subject (Click here for Bibliography by Author)

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I recommend these books for research and teaching.

Click the category which best describes your need.
(In general, the books are listed in order of preference and availability).

A Double asterisk ** means the book is readily available in most libraries AND through Barnesandnoble.com and Amazon.com
Books without asterisks may be more difficult to locate. A good university library should have most of these listed.
1. General History of Commedia dell'Arte

2. Descriptions of the Stock Characters and improvisations
Detailed
Concise
3. Playing Commedia

4. Playing Masks and Physical Comedy

5. Scenarios
Detailed
Concise
Related Scripts
6. Good pictures of Characters, Costumes, Scenery, and Masks

7. Commedia's influence on: Shakespeare's Comedies
Moliere
Punch and Judy
Theatre/dance/opera/film of 19th and 20th c.
8. Making Masks