Restoration Theatre- England and France

RICHARD BURBAGE ENGLISH PLAYED TRAGIC CHARACTERS BUILT THE GLOBE THEATRE EDWARD ALLEYN played tragic figures built the Fortune Theatre WILLIAM KEMP LOVED COMIC CHARACTERS BECAME FAMOUS FOR PART OF BOTTOM Actors of the Era- the players

JAMES I – RULED AFTER ELIZABETH I DIED POLITICAL UNREST IN ENGLAND CHARLES I CAME TO POWER OLIVER CROMWELL BECAME THE LEADER OF PARLIAMENT THE PURITANS CONTROL ENGLISH LAW- BEHEAD CHARLES I - BAN THEATRE - CONSIDERED DENS OF INIQUITY - PLAYS WERE STILL PERFORMED BUT ACTORS WERE OFTEN ARRESTED Restoration Theatre

1660- CHARLES II RETURNS FROM FRANCE AND TAKES THE THRONE - LETS DRAMA RESUME IN ENGLAND - HAS PERMANENT INDOOR THEATRES BUILT Restoration Theatre- England and France

Charles II- changes to theatre - theatres are designed after the French theatre deep apron on stage large proscenium arch used flats to create perspective flats set parallel to curtain flats give illusion of distance candles and oil lanterns lit the stage women are finally allowed to act on stage

Audiences sophisticated, educated groups witty loved foolish pleasures takes place around the time of the American Revolutionary War most plays were comedies of manners

plays were comedies of manners Comedies of manners were usually written by sophisticated authors for members of their own social class, and they typically are concerned with social usage and the ability or inability of certain characters to meet social standards, which are often exacting but morally trivial. The plot, usually concerning an illicit love affair or other scandalous matter, is subordinate to the play's brittle atmosphere, witty dialogue, and pungent commentary on human foibles. Only rarely do these creatures betray the traits of sympathy, faithfulness, kindness, honesty, or loyalty. They follow a life of pleasure, bored, but yawning behind a delicate fan or a kerchief of lace.

Plays of the time- laws Licensing Act- ended in 1968 only two theatre groups could do plays Lords Men of Drury Lane Covent Garden Plays: She Stoops to Conquer HMS Pinafore Tartuffe The Miser

Acting Styles and Actors Bombastic style- pompous, grandiloquent, turgid, florid, grandiose. Bombastic, flowery, pretentious, verbose all describe a use or a user of language more elaborate than is justified by or appropriate to the content being expressed. Bombastic suggests language with a theatricality or staginess of style far too powerful or declamatory for the meaning or sentiment being expressed Later- toned down the style Actors- David Garrick Sarah Kemble Edmund Kean

David Garrick English actor, playwright, theatre manager, and producer, who influenced nearly all aspects of theatrical practice throughout the 18th century and was a pupil and friend of Dr. Samuel Johnson. He appeared in a number of amateur theatricals, and with his appearance in the title role of Shakespeares Richard III. Garrick promoted realistic acting that departed from the bombastic style that was entrenched when Garrick first came to prominence.

Sarah Kemble was a British actress, the best- known tragedienne of the 18th century.Britishactresstragedienne

Edmund Kean he picked up music from Charles Incledon, dancing from DEgville, and fencing from Angelo. In 1807 he played leading parts in the Belfast theatre with Sarah Kem le Siddons, who began by calling him a horrid little man and on further experience of his ability said that he played very, very well, but that there was too little of him to make a great actor.Sarah Kem le Siddons