Restoration Theatre ADA4M February 6, 2013

Monarchs and Their Fancy Titles Elizabeth I: Elizabethan period 1558-1603 James I: Jacobean period 1603-1625 Charles I & II: Carolinian period 1625-1649 1660-1685

Remember… After the enormous success of Renaissance theatre (Shakespeare’s time), the theatres were closed in 1642 by Puritans. Why?

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

Events of the War War begins in 1642. Puritans (on the Parliamentarian side) close theatres (and many other forms of entertainment) Struggle and strife for many years 1649: Charles I loses the war. He is captured. First time a King is tried at court Convicted of high treason Executed

So, the king is dead… Oliver Cromwell runs the Parliament and leads Britain as a republic (a nation without a king) Cromwell dies, his son takes over Meanwhile, Scotland is not so happy with things… More conflict between the two sides, eventually Charles II declared the rightful king of England 1660: Monarchy restored (hence Restoration period)

Because they could… When the Royalists returned, they wanted to show off their success to the Parliamentarians Oliver Cromwell’s body dug up and beheaded, and his head put on a spike

Weren’t We Talking About Theatre? Charles II restored a more lavish lifestyle, brought back celebration, opulence, and fashion as central parts of the upper class’s lives Licensed 2 acting companies Changed laws about who was allowed to act

The Royal Theatres Elaborate 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 Audience Much like in the Renaissance, Restoration audience were composed of all sorts: upper classes, their servants, and the middle class Note: there is a middle class now! Samuel Pepys’ diary: famous diary of a man who recorded his experiences at the time, often wrote about attending the theatre

The Actors Actors become celebrities Women are allowed on stage! First female actors and playwrights “Breeches roles”: women dressed in men’s clothing, either to hide or to do things that girls weren’t allowed to do Theatre as a form of liberation for women

Important Actors Nell Gwynn One of the first female actors Charles II’s mistress; had 2 sons Edward (Ned) Kynaston Used to be a boy player in girls’ roles Called the “prettiest woman” and “handsomest man” by Samuel Pepys Women would take him around town Rumors that he often went out in his women’s clothing

The Plays Sexually explicit: dirty jokes and suggestive scenes More scandalous now that there are real women! Busy plays with many characters “Comedy of manners”: makes fun of upper class Plot often about scandal, but plot is less important than clever dialogue and jokes (often double-entendres)

The Importance of Being Earnest NOT a Restoration play (it’s Victorian), but a good example of a comedy of manners: Title: Ernest/earnest pun Sample dialogue: “I really don’t see anything romantic in proposing. It is very romantic to be in love. But there is nothing romantic about a definite proposal. Why, one may be accepted. One usually is, I believe. Then the excitement is over. The very essence of romance is uncertainty. If I ever get married, I’ll certainly try to forget the fact.” “Well, I must say, Algernon, that I think it is high time that Mr. Bunbury made up his mind whether he was going to live or die. This shilly-shallying with the question is absurd. Nor do I in any way approve of the modern sympathy with invalids. I consider it morbid. Illness of any kind is hardly a thing to be encouraged in others.”

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

Modern Fops

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

Modern Rakes

Journal If you could go back in time to one of the theatre periods we have studied, which would you choose and why? (English Renaissance, Commedia dell’Arte, Noh, Restoration) Remember: Study for midterm (Tuesday, February 11)