Commedia dell'Arte is a theatrical style with origins in Renaissance Italy. The style lasted for more than two centuries, before it declined in the 18th century and was replaced by more formalized theatre. The first performances were put on by charlatans, Italian market place merchants selling their goods in the plazas. They would stand on benches and call out their wares, while masked jugglers and acrobats leaped about. After this a play would follow.