Troupes of players travel the countryside of France and points beyond, performing everything from passion plays on holy days to commedia dell’arte farces to acrobatics and legerdemain. They may perform in the small number of theatres found in towns and cities, but they are more likely to be found at country fairs and even performing on makeshift stages hastily assembled in town squares or along roadsides.

Despite their popularity, many players enjoy a reputation for thievery and other vices.

Troupes -

• King’s Players – troupe of the Hôtel de Bourgogne in Paris
• Compagnie des comtes de Foix – a large troupe from Languedoc
• Compagnie du prince de Piémont – a small company of mostly Italian players