Two different papers
Ghost90
zzzzzzzzzher.pptxRestoration England Theatre
1642-1800
History
The Puritan faction gained control of London early in the First English Civil War.
The Puritan movement was very hostile toward theatre—and entertainment as a whole—as they felt that it was sinful. At this time actors and playwrights were clients of the aristocracy and most supported the Royalist cause.
On September 2nd, 1642, the Puritan-controlled Parliament banned full-length plays from London theatres and would last for another 18 years.
During this time, many theatres were torn down and a law was passed declaring all actors rogues of the government.
History (cont.)
In 1660, Charles II returned to England from the France (where he and the royal families spent a majority of the English Civil War) and restored the monarchy. This time period is known as ‘the Restoration’
Charles II was a huge theatre fan, and as a result lifted the ban from theatre and began a period of renewal for English theatre.
After this a patent was placed for the creation of two new theatre companies
The Duke’s Men—Led by William Davenant, for younger actors
The King’s Company—Led by Thomas Killigrew, for more experienced actors
Because of the time the royal family spent in Paris, a very obvious French influence could be felt, in theatre especially. This and several other innovations developed during the Restoration gave the new English theatre a very different and distinct feel.
Playwrights—William Davenant
William Davenant was one of the more famous playwrights during the Resoration era, as well as an existing playwright from before the English Civil War.
Leader of the Duke of York’s Men, one of the two theatre companies patented by Charles II
He, along with Thomas Killigrew, led a very monopolistic rule over Restoration public theatre preformances, and therefore influenced them greatly.
Shakespeare was apparently his godfather
Wrote many original works and adapted many of Shakespeare’s plays.
One of his more famous works—The Siege of the Rhodes—was the first play to feature a woman actor in England
Playwrights—Thomas Killigrew
Famous dramatist and Royalist that supported Prince Charles in exile, and was later put on the court of King Charles II
Leader of the new King’s Company
Famous plays:
Claracilla
The Prisoners
The Parson’s Wedding (his most popular)
Most of his plays were tragicomedies, following the new trend of vulgar and sexually explicit comedies referred to as Restoration Comedy, or comedy of manners
Theatres
The remaining theatres that were not torn down began showing performances again.
New innovations:
Philip Jacques de Loutherbourg broke up floor spaces with pieces of scenery, adding more depth to the stage.
Some designers began toying with lighting by using candles and chandeliers hung above the floor or stage.
One important theatre of note during the Restoration era was the Haymarket Theatre which was operated by Samuel Foote. It is a West End theatre in the City of Westminster dating back to 1720, and is still currently in use today.
Restoration England 1700’s Style
Restoration Period Decoration
New Models
Wood
New Genres of Theatre
Restoration Comedy, or Comedy of Manners
Comedies written in the Restoration period from 1660 to 1710
Notorious for sexual explicitness
Often controversial
Restoration Spectacular, or machine play
Acted out on the London public stages in the late 1600s
More action-packed than traditional Restoration drama and featured music and dance.
Focused on elaborate mechanics and special effects, such as movable scenery, trapdoors, flying actors, and fireworks.
Famous Plays
1- A Bold Stroke for a Wife 2- The Way of the World
Many Elizabethan plays continued to be preformed during the Reformation era, including many of Shakespeare’s works.
First Actress
Nell Gwynn
First Celebrity Actors
Thomas Betterton
Comedy Actors
William Wycherley
Richard Sheridan
The Leading English Actor-Manager
David Garrick
Audience
What the audience preferred?
Seating set up
Wealthy members of the audience.
Theatre Censorship
Licensing Act of 1737
Restricted to two Patent theatres
Prime Minister Robert Walpole
The School for Scandal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=44&v=jYLHEC3-xT
The School for Scandal written by Richard Sheridan
Preformed May 1777
