THEATRE HISTORY THURSDAY: RESTORATION THEATRE

Summary

In 1642, the English Civil War led to the beheading of King Charles I and the temporary banning of public theater. The monarchy was restored in 1660, ushering in the era of Restoration Theater. Theaters flourished under King Charles II, who granted patents to influential theater companies. Plays became more risqué, with themes of sexual intrigue and mistaken identities. Women were allowed on stage for the first time, and several female playwrights, like Aphra Behn, emerged. This period marked a dramatic shift in both the content and structure of English theater, reflecting the loosening of Puritan constraints.

Takeaways

• 😀 The English Civil War (1642) led to the temporary abolition of the monarchy and the banning of public theater.
• 😀 In 1649, King Charles I was executed, and the Puritans, under Oliver Cromwell, established a Commonwealth in England.
• 😀 The Puritans prohibited public theater, marking a significant cultural shift during their rule.
• 😀 The Restoration period began in 1660 when King Charles II was restored to the throne, reviving theater and culture in England.
• 😀 Restoration theater featured satire, witty sexual dialogue, and social critique, often poking fun at societal norms.
• 😀 Major themes of Restoration plays included sexual and marital intrigue, mistaken identities, and fortune hunters.
• 😀 Charles II was a passionate patron of the arts, encouraging the development of theater and granting patents to the King's Company and Duke’s Men.
• 😀 The architecture of theaters advanced during the Restoration, allowing for more elaborate set designs and productions.
• 😀 In 1662, a royal decree allowed women to appear on stage, marking the end of the tradition where men played female roles.
• 😀 Women such as Nell Gwynne (Charles II’s mistress) became famous actresses during the Restoration period.
• 😀 The Restoration also saw the rise of women playwrights like Aphra Behn, considered the first professional female playwright in England.

Q & A

What led to the establishment of Restoration Theater in England?

Restoration Theater emerged after King Charles II was restored to the throne in 1660, following the period of Puritan rule that banned public theater during the English Civil War and the execution of King Charles I.

What significant event occurred in 1649 that impacted the monarchy in England?

In 1649, King Charles I was executed, leading to the establishment of the Commonwealth, a republican government led by Oliver Cromwell, which banned public theater and many other activities.

How did Restoration Theater differ from previous periods in England?

Restoration Theater featured more provocative themes, such as sexual and marital intrigue, witty dialogues, and rakish behavior, in contrast to the stricter, more moralistic plays of the Puritan era.

What were some common themes in Restoration plays?

Restoration plays often focused on themes of mistaken identity, cuckolding, sexual intrigue, and fortune hunters, reflecting the loosening of social restraints after Puritan rule.

Why was it significant that women were allowed to perform on stage during the Restoration?

It marked a major cultural shift, as women were officially allowed to play female roles, which had previously been played by men, signaling progress for women's participation in theater and performance arts.

What was the ironic reason behind the law that women should play female roles in 1662?

The law was introduced to encourage moral reform in theater, though the plays themselves were far from moral, often featuring risqué themes and behavior that went against Puritan values.

Who was one of the most famous actors from the Restoration period?

Nell Gwyn, one of King Charles II's mistresses, became one of the most famous and celebrated actors of the Restoration period, performing with the King's Company.

What role did King Charles II play in the development of Restoration Theater?

King Charles II actively encouraged the growth of theater during the Restoration by granting patents to the King's Company and the Duke's Men, supporting lavish productions, and promoting a more relaxed approach to theater after Puritan censorship.

What changes in theater architecture occurred during the Restoration period?

Theater architecture became more advanced, allowing for elaborate set designs and staging conventions, which helped enhance the visual and thematic appeal of productions.

Who was Aphra Behn and why is she important in the history of English theater?

Aphra Behn is considered one of England's first professional female playwrights, contributing significantly to the Restoration Theater with her plays and helping pave the way for other women in theater.