You see anything scary, will you shout out of snow?

No!

I said, will you shout out of snow!

Brilliant!

Take it away from Chris!

Come on, Catch the Bree!

You know what you do.

What you're hearing now is a scene from a theatrical experience

that most Americans have never encountered firsthand.

And what you're not seeing are the colourful costumes,

the dazzling set, and the

over-the-top theatrical gesturing, often done in unison. So, what's it all about? To begin to answer

that question, let's go back to 16th century Italy, where troops of strolling performers went

town-to-town performing plays that included comedy, music, dance, and acrobatics.

The characters in these plays all fell into one of four stock character types, and usually

portrayed in an exaggerated manner, and the stories themselves stuck to one of several

stock narratives, such as two lovers separated by a meddling figure. It was known as

Comedia del Arte.

Not only was it popular throughout Europe until the 18th century, but it was also an early

form of professional theater.

Now, what does any of this have to do with Christmas?

Well, maybe not much, not yet anyway.

...