Lazzi

short scenes of a buffo character, various stunts, jokes, and witty remarks; an important element of the Italian commedia dell’arte. They were usually performed by actors playing the roles of servants—the zanni. The lazzi were not connected with the plot of the presentation, but were a comic emphasis or comment on the main action or a parody of separate episodes. In the 20th century, Italian theaters performing in local dialects still retain lazzi in their productions.