Entremés

An entremés (Spanish for "between courses") is a short, humorous, one-act dramatic piece, usually presented between the acts of a longer play or at the beginning of a theatrical performance. It originated in Spain during the 16th century and flourished in the 17th century, particularly in the Golden Age of Spanish literature.

Entremeses were generally farcical and focused on everyday characters and situations, often involving stock characters and stereotypes. They were intended to entertain the audience during intermissions and provide a lighthearted contrast to the more serious or elaborate main play. Common themes included love triangles, mistaken identities, social satire, and the antics of rogues and servants.

Notable playwrights who wrote entremeses include Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote, whose entremeses are considered among the finest examples of the genre. Lope de Rueda is also considered a pioneer in the development of the entremés. The genre's popularity declined in the 18th century.