Theatre History Midterm. (Module 1)

King Charles II

The son of King Charles I

The Merry Monarch

Restoration Period began in 1661, when he was crowned king.

King Charles I

Unpopular ruler

Believed in the “Divine right of Kings”

Was at Odds with the parliament

Levied large taxes on his subjects.

What was the First English play to use the Wings and Shutter system?

The Siege of Rhodes

William Davenent.

Prominent playwright (court masques) before theatres were closed.

Held private theatrical events in his home during the Puritan regime.

Wrote a handful of English-language operas to circumvent restrictions (music wasn’t banned).

Formed The Duke’s Company

Thomas Killigrew

Had been a favourite of King Charles I.
Supporter of the Royalist cause.
Awarded patent by King Charles II.
Formed The King’s Company.

What where the two Theatre Companies that King Charles II re-opened in 1660-1662?

William Davenant’s The Duke’s Company (Young actors in training)

Thomas Killigrew’s The King’s Company (Older, distinguished actors)

In 1682, Thomas Betterton merged the two companies to become The United Company.

Who merged The Duke’s Company and The King’s Company, and what was the new theatre called?

Thomas Betterton merged the two companies to become The United Company. (1682)

What Style of theatre was popular during the Restoration?

Comedy of Intrigue (or Comedy of Situation) -- Action-focused, not character-focused.

Comedy of Manners. — Wanted to laugh at themselves. Stories of sex and scandal. Reflection of French plays.

When were women first allowed on stage?

1660

Elizebeth Barry

1658-1713

Restoration period’s leading tragic actress

Played opposite Thomas Betterton in Shakespeare plays.

Anne Bracegirdle

1671-1748

Restoration period’s leading comedic actress

Played clever urban woman in comedies

Played sympathetic heroines in tragedies.

Eleanor “Nell” Gwynn

1650-1687

Rags to riches

Popular in Breeches roles

Mistress of King Charles II

Well liked by the public

What are the stock characters of Restoration Comedy?

The Fop: A fool. Outlandish style and larger than life personality. Tries to fit in, but doesn’t.

The Rake: Witty, charming, deceptive. Often the central character, driving the action. Audience favourite.

Jealous Husband:

Adulterous Wife:

The Cuckhold:

John Dryden

1631-1700

Poet, playwright, critic.

Wrote his first play: The wild Gallant For Killigrew’s Company.

Became a poet Laureate (1668).

Known as the “Father of English criticism.”

Aphra Behn

1640-1689

Worked for King Charles II as a spy in the Netherlands.

Turned to writing to get out of debt.

First Known Woman in England to make a living writing.

Most popular writer for Comedy of Intrigue

Who are the Female Wits?

Delarivier Manley

Catharine Trotter Cockburn

Mary Pix

Sir George Etherege

1636-1691

Considered the man who brought Comedy of Manners to the stage

William Congreve

1636-1691

Novelist turned playwright

His best play (The Way of the World), was a failure at the time and ended his career.

William Wycherley

1640-1716

Wrote for fun to exercise his wit

King of sexual innuendoes and double-entendres

Wrote The Country Wife

Thomas Betterton

1635-1710

Restoration period’s greatest actor.

Also a playwright, teacher, and theatre company manager

What is an Entrepreneur in the Restoration period?

Someone who owns the theatre building.

Although not as popular, what where the styles of serious plays in the restoration period?

Heroic Tragedy: (Popular from 1660 – 1675) Epic, plot-focused plays that usually had a happy ending. Character is not important, and the hero does not change.

Restoration Tragedy: (1675 – 1700), Adhered to the neoclassical rules. Simple plot. Written in blank verse. Popular to rework Shakespeare’s tragedies, such as Antony and Cleopatra (John Dryden’s All for Love). Happy endings for all! (Romeo and Juliet, King Lear, etc.)

what is An Essay of Dramatic Poesy?

Main theoretical treatise on theatre of the 17th century.

Had a major influence on the neoclassicists of the 18th century.

Written as a dialogue between four men debating theatre.

Eugenius, Crites, Lisideius, and Neander: most likely aliases for real Restoration critics, including Dryden