Abstract: The origins of the American vaudeville stand in the intersection of various theatrical types, which came from Europe in the 18th century. The case-study of 19th-20th century San Francisco theatre proves that the repertories of the European troupes, migrating to the Unites States, mainly exported a mixed dramaturgy. So, the American variety theatre appears as the result of the interaction between the European and the local performance practices and traditions.
