As early as 1989, the first edition of the "Nouvelles du Conte" festival, still called "Neuvaine du Conte", presented shows in which the form of narration rather than the content of the tale took centre stage.
The early 1990s saw the emergence in Italy of a theatre movement known as teatro di narrazione (narrative theatre). Carried by many artists, the influence of Dario Fo seems undeniable. He invented a new form of monologue with Mistero Buffo (Mystère bouffe), in which the narrator replaces the actor. This new theatrical form places the actor-narrator and his story at the heart of the theatrical device.