varietee

Varieté, sometimes spelled variétés or varietee, refers to a form of live entertainment built around a succession of short, unrelated acts such as song, dance, comedy, magic, or acrobatics. The emphasis is on variety rather than a single narrative or theme, and performances are typically designed for rapid changes between acts.

Etymologically, the term derives from the French word for “variety.” In France and other Francophone regions, variétés theatres and cafés-concerts presented programs labeled variétés, cabaret-style shows, or revue presentations. In German-speaking areas the term Varieté denotes a traveling or fixed stage show with a rotating lineup of acts. In English-speaking countries, the closest equivalents are the variety show and the vaudeville tradition, which popularized similar formats on stage and, later, on television.

Format and structure generally include a host or master of ceremonies who introduces acts, a schedule of diverse performances, and minimal set changes to maintain pace. Acts are often self-contained and may feature standout performers who specialize in a specific skill, with occasional guest appearances or novelty acts interspersed throughout the program.

History and influence. The form originated in European entertainment venues such as cafés-concerts and Parisian theatres in the 18th to 19th centuries, contributing to the development of later revue and vaudeville traditions. With the advent of mass media, television and radio variety programs became a dominant entertainment format, shaping audience expectations for fast-paced, multidisciplinary showcases. Today, varieté remains a live-performance format in theatres, festivals, and touring productions that celebrate a broad spectrum of performing arts.