Restoration & 18 th Century Drama A.D. Masterpieces of the Drama

Where did we leave off? 1642: Puritans take over the country, and all theatres are closed. 1642: Puritans take over the country, and all theatres are closed : Interregnum Period : Interregnum Period 1660: Restoration of the Monarchy 1660: Restoration of the Monarchy

Charles II Charles II becomes king Charles II becomes king Response to the puritans Response to the puritans Reforms to the theater… English Royal Patent of Reforms to the theater… English Royal Patent of Theater Monopoly Theater Monopoly Women Actors Women Actors

Theater Monopolies Two playhouses given official sanction: Two playhouses given official sanction: Drury Lane Theater Drury Lane Theater Lincoln’s Inn Fields Lincoln’s Inn Fields From these two names comes the term, legitimate theater, which refers to professional stage plays. From these two names comes the term, legitimate theater, which refers to professional stage plays.

Women Actors The patent stated: The patent stated: “All women’s parts should be performed by women” and that plays and acting should be considered “not only harmless delights but useful and instructive representations of human life.” Nell Gwynn “moves the passions” Nell Gwynn “moves the passions” First Celebrity Actors First Celebrity Actors

Physical Structure of the Theater Audiences seated on floor Audiences seated on floor Stage is raked, that is, sloped upward away from the viewers. Stage is raked, that is, sloped upward away from the viewers. Terms “upstage” and “downstage” develop. Terms “upstage” and “downstage” develop. Elaborate scenery and mechanical equipment used Elaborate scenery and mechanical equipment used Move to the indoors, artificial light Move to the indoors, artificial light Middle-priced tickets were in the pit before the proscenium- arched stage. Middle-priced tickets were in the pit before the proscenium- arched stage. The first-level boxes against the walls were most expensive. The first-level boxes against the walls were most expensive. The lowest-priced seats were in the upper ranges of the balconies. The lowest-priced seats were in the upper ranges of the balconies.

Type of Drama… Coming from an age of Puritanism, what do the people want? Coming from an age of Puritanism, what do the people want? Marriage during this time… “Marriage of Convenience.” Marriage during this time… “Marriage of Convenience.” Comedy of Manners: reveal the foibles of the society that watched them. Society enjoyed laughing at itself. Comedy of Manners: reveal the foibles of the society that watched them. Society enjoyed laughing at itself. Restoration Comedies: Less interested in reforming society than in capitalizing on its faults. Restoration Comedies: Less interested in reforming society than in capitalizing on its faults.

Some of the major players… William Wycherley William Wycherley William Congreve William Congreve George Farquhar George Farquhar Richard Brinsley Sheridan Richard Brinsley Sheridan Oliver Goldsmith Oliver Goldsmith

Richard Brinsley Sheridan Born in Dublin Born in Dublin Supposed to study law Supposed to study law Settled in London and started writing for public theatre… Opening night a flop, but changes the actor and becomes a hit… The Rivals. Settled in London and started writing for public theatre… Opening night a flop, but changes the actor and becomes a hit… The Rivals. Invests his fortune in a share on Drury Lane. The Theater burns down, he drinks wine outside the theater and says, “A man may surely be allowed to take a glass of wine by his own fireside.” Invests his fortune in a share on Drury Lane. The Theater burns down, he drinks wine outside the theater and says, “A man may surely be allowed to take a glass of wine by his own fireside.” Died in Poverty Died in Poverty

Away from England for a while… France: France: Jean Baptiste Poquelin Moliere Jean Baptiste Poquelin Moliere Company In Paris, Louis XIV’s response Company In Paris, Louis XIV’s response The Misanthrope The Misanthrope The Miser The Miser The Bourgeois Gentleman The Bourgeois Gentleman The Imaginary Invalid The Imaginary Invalid Tartuffe Tartuffe Commedia dell’arte: Commedia dell’arte: A form of improvisational theater A form of improvisational theater Plays partially written Plays partially written Professional actors playing stock characters improvised dialogue to fit a given scenario. Professional actors playing stock characters improvised dialogue to fit a given scenario.

Japan & Kabuki Theater Japan: Japan: Peaceful during this period , so people enter period of “peace time” or “leisure time.” : Golden Age Kabuki Theater and Puppet Theater Kabuki designed to stimulate the masses Elaborate Makeup & Dance Kabuki = “the art of singing and dancing”

Scrubs & Kabuki

Some real Kabuki…

The School for Scandal Dramatis Personae Sir Peter Teazle: John D. Sir Peter Teazle: John D. Sir Oliver Surface: Olesia Sir Oliver Surface: Olesia Joseph Surface: Woodruff Joseph Surface: Woodruff Charles Surface: Esteban Charles Surface: Esteban Crabtree: Tom Crabtree: Tom Sir Benjamin Backbite: Enas Sir Benjamin Backbite: Enas Rowley: Emma Rowley: Emma Moses: Corey Moses: Corey Trip: Grace Trip: Grace Snake: Mr. Kott Snake: Mr. Kott Careless: Enas Careless: Enas Sir Toby Bumber: Dentinger Sir Toby Bumber: Dentinger Lady Teazle: Olesia Lady Teazle: Olesia Maria: Jen Maria: Jen Lady Sneerwell: Karissa Lady Sneerwell: Karissa Mrs. Candour: Jess Mrs. Candour: Jess