The English Restoration
Theatre 101: Introduction to Theatre
Historical Context
  1. 1642 - Parliament closes theatres
  2. 1649 - King Charles I executed
  3. 1649-1658 - Oliver Cromwell controls England
    1. Parliament rules during the Commonwealth
  4. 1660 - Restoration of Charles II to the throne
  5. Charles II spent his exile in France
    1. Became a fan of the French court life
    2. Loved the theatre
Theatre During the Commonwealth
  1. Drolls
    1. Short full length plays
    2. Quick
    3. "Bottom the Weaver" based on A Midsummer Night's Dream
    4. Underground
  2. William Davenant
    1. Court playwright before 1642
    2. Described his performances as "musical entertainment"
      1. Staged at his home
    3. The Siege of Rhodes
      1. 1st women on the stage
      2. 1st English opera
      3. Used changeable Italianate scenery
        1. Proscenium arch
        2. Wing and Shutter system
Theatre After the Restoration
  1. Tragedy
    1. Not as popular as comedy
    2. John Dryden
    3. Adheres to neoclassical rules
  2. Comedy of Intrigues
    1. Aphra Behn
      1. Major playwright of the genre
      2. 1st female to make her living as a playwright
    2. Plays are like romance novels
  3. Comedy of Manners
    1. About culture and refinement
    2. Constant sexual intrigue
    3. Satirizes the aristocracy
    4. William Wycherley
      1. Personally enjoyed the things he satirized
      2. Wanted to write so that he would rise in stature
      3. Country Wife
    5. William Congreve
      1. The Way of the World
        1. Considered the best Restoration comedy
  4. Women in the theatre
    1. Women in all companies during the Restoration
    2. Eleanor "Nell" Gwynn
      1. Best known actress of the period
      2. Daughter of a "Madam"
      3. Began in theatre as an "Orange Wench"
      4. Began to associate with actor Charles Hart
      5. Becomes mistress of King Charles II
Theatre Architecture
  1. Drury Lane Theatre
    1. Built originally in 1663
    2. Burned in June 1672
    3. Reopened in present form in March 1674
    4. Designed by Christopher Wren
    5. Proscenium arch
    6. Managed at one time by David Garrick
      1. Forerunner to modern stage director
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