Theatre in Early Modern Switzerland

The history of Swiss theatre presents a particularly intricate research field, shaped by the linguistic, religious and socio-cultural diversity that has long defined the Helvetic territories. The long sixteenth century represents a crucial phase in this history: from the second half of the fifteenth century to the early decades of the seventeenth, the performing arts took root and flourished across Switzerland, from Zurich and Bern to Geneva, Neuchâtel and Lausanne, as well as in the central regions. Yet, despite the vibrancy of these theatrical cultures marked by strong regional specificities and close ties to the rest of Europe, this field remains underexplored. Through ten interrelated studies by leading scholars, this volume offers the first comprehensive examination of this crucial period, restoring Switzerland’s significance within the broader history of Early Modern Western theatre.