While not exclusively using painted scenery and three actors, Pirandello was known for:
* Minimalist staging: He favored simplicity, often using limited sets and props.
* Focus on character: His plays emphasized the inner lives and struggles of his characters.
* Metafiction: He explored the nature of theater and reality through self-aware plays.
Examples of his work that align with your description:
* "Six Characters in Search of an Author": This play features six characters who burst onto a stage searching for an author to write their story, and the actors playing them.
* "Tonight We Improvise": This play is a metafictional exploration of the creative process and theatrical performance.
While Pirandello did not always limit his plays to three actors or painted scenery, the essence of your description resonates with his theatrical style.