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Commedia dell'arte (Italian: "play of professional artists") was a popular form of improvisational theatre that began in Italy in the 16th century and maintained its popularity through to the 18th century, although it is still performed today. All of their performances were outside with few props, unscripted, and were free to watch, funded by donations. A troupe consisted of ten people: seven men and three women. Outside Italy, it was also known as "Italian Comedy".