The first professional theatre in Western Europe was the comedy de l'art originated from folk pageant. The inalienable attribute of any show used to be buffoonery, and the cast presented in masks. Mainly, those were the masks-caricatures: Pantalone- a lustful wretch; Doctor - a bearer of pseudo-scientific nonsense; merry Brigella and Arlekin; funny Pulchinella, and some others.

Comedy de l'art influenced the Enlightenment theatre and Moliere's creative works, as well. In the times of Shakespeare all the characters with any typical oddity, fancy, or vice were named "humours". Probably, the notion "humorous character" appeared because characters with "humours" took part in satiric comedies. Shakespeare's comedies were full of wit and humour, but he had never moralized, that is why he was criticized. Mutual attacks of his opponents caused the hostility of theatres. Ben Johnson and D. Marston, having different points of view, attacked each other in their plays..., till the authorities had been sick and tired of it. Along with literary satire, caricature had also become the weapon of theatrical critics. In 1737 the publication of W. Hogarth's engraving "Show of Golden Rump" caused the adoption of censorship in England. If the obscene play "Golden Rump" had been staged, it would have caused a scandal.

W. Hogarth was the first artist to publish theatrical caricatures ("Laughing Audience", etc.) In the 1730s, when romanticism and classicism crossed their swords, caricaturists did not stay aside, either. Later D. Cruikshank, T. Rolandson, and D. Gillray drew a lot of theatrical caricatures.

At the end of the XIXth and the beginning of the XXth century B. Shaw and O. Wilde added more fame to the English theatre and inspired many caricaturists with their personalities and works. Being a creator of modern social drama, B. Shaw was considered to be a great derider. He used to say: "As to my plays, I always get a good piece of advice from my cook like Molier". Plays by O. Wilde attracted attention not only by their plot, but by witty paradoxes. The plays were criticized, but the audience being intrigued by unusual advertisement was enthusiastic. Foreign playwrights were also ridiculed, for example, H. Ibsen with his drama "Ghosts",1891.

"Beat me, but let me laugh"- Molier used to repeat. The source of his works was the urban mob farce - satire of aristocracy, clergy, and common people. In the XVth -XVIIth centuries there were unions of farce actors in every French city.

O. Daumier devoted the whole set of caricatures to actors, his

contemporaries; one can understand the theatrical life of Paris studying humorous theatrical sketches of Granville. Caricaturists of "Punch" and "Simplitsissimus" paid much attention to theatre. Audience enjoyed the appearance of any distinguished actor, a playwright, or a director; the caricaturists were also inspired by their work: whether it was