restoration theatre

Restoration TheatreADA4MFebruary 6, 2013

Monarchs and Their Fancy TitlesElizabeth I: Elizabethan period1558-1603James I: Jacobean period1603-1625Charles I & II: Carolinian period1625-16491660-1685

RememberAfter the enormous success of Renaissance theatre (Shakespeares time), the theatres were closed in 1642 by Puritans.

Why?

Civil WarEnglish Civil War: 1642-1649/51Parliamentarians vs. RoyalistsParliamentarians: wanted a government with all the power in the parliamentRoyalists: Supported King Charles I (and later Charles II), wanted England to remain a monarchy

Events of the WarWar begins in 1642. Puritans (on the Parliamentarian side) close theatres (and many other forms of entertainment)Struggle and strife for many years1649: Charles I loses the war. He is captured.First time a King is tried at courtConvicted of high treasonExecuted

So, the king is deadOliver Cromwell runs the Parliament and leads Britain as a republic (a nation without a king)Cromwell dies, his son takes overMeanwhile, Scotland is not so happy with thingsMore conflict between the two sides, eventually Charles II declared the rightful king of England1660: Monarchy restored (hence Restoration period)

Because they couldWhen the Royalists returned, they wanted to show off their success to the ParliamentariansOliver Cromwells body dug up and beheaded, and his head put on a spike

Werent We Talking About Theatre?Charles II restored a more lavish lifestyle, brought back celebration, opulence, and fashion as central parts of the upper classs livesLicensed 2 acting companiesChanged laws about who wasallowed to act

The Royal TheatresElaborate stages with royal patents (e.g. Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, designed by Christopher Wren)Moveable scenery, machines for high-tech special effects (e.g. lightning, waves)

The AudienceMuch like in the Renaissance, Restoration audience were composed of all sorts: upper classes, their servants, and the middle classNote: there is a middle class now!Samuel Pepys diary: famousdiary of a man who recordedhis experiences at the time, often wrote about attendingthe theatre

The ActorsActors become celebritiesWomen are allowed on stage!First female actors and playwrightsBreeches roles: women dressed in mens clothing, either to hide or to do things that girls werent allowed to doTheatre as a form of liberation for women

Important ActorsNell GwynnOne of the first female actorsCharles IIs mistress; had 2 sonsEdward (Ned) KynastonUsed to be a boy player in girls rolesCalled the prettiest woman and handsomest man by Samuel PepysWomen would take him around townRumors that he often went out in his womens clothing

The PlaysSexually explicit: dirty jokes and suggestive scenesMore scandalous now that there are real women!Busy plays with many charactersComedy of manners: makes fun of upper classPlot often about scandal, but plot is less important than clever dialogue and jokes (often double-entendres)

The Importance of Being EarnestNOT a Restoration play (its Victorian), but a good example of a comedy of manners:Title: Ernest/earnest punSample dialogue:I really dont see anything romantic in proposing. It is very romantic to be in love. Butthere is nothing romantic about a definite proposal. Why, one may be accepted. Oneusually is, I believe. Then the excitement is over. The very essence of romance isuncertainty. If I ever get married, Ill certainly try to forget the fact.

Well, I must say, Algernon, that I think it is high time that Mr. Bunbury made up hismind whether he was going to live or die. This shilly-shallying with the question isabsurd. Nor do I in any way approve of the modern sympathy with invalids. I consider itmorbid. Illness of any kind is hardly a thing to be encouraged in others.

Stock CharactersFop: a silly man who is too focused on his appearance, makes attempts to seem especially intellectual but is usually foolish

Modern Fops

Stock CharactersRake: an immoral, promiscuous man who usually comes from a wealthy background and spends too much money on drink, gambling, and women

Modern Rakes

JournalIf you could go back in time to one of the theatre periods we have studied, which would you choose and why? (English Renaissance, Commedia dellArte, Noh, Restoration)

Remember: Study for midterm (Tuesday, February 11)