Medieval theatre is an academic field dedicated to the study of dramatic performance, texts, and related cultural practices originating in Europe during the Middle Ages. It investigates the diverse forms, performance conditions, social functions, and surviving textual and material evidence of theatrical activities from roughly the 5th to the 15th centuries. Key characteristics include its strong ties to religious institutions and themes, the emergence of vernacular forms, and varied performance environments ranging from churches to public spaces. Its significance lies in illuminating medieval cultural history, understanding the evolution of European dramatic traditions, and reconstructing performance practices for which evidence is often fragmented.