7.5 Restoration and 18th-century theater

The Restoration period marked a dramatic shift in English theater. After years of Puritan rule, the reopening of playhouses in 1660 ushered in a new era of artistic expression. This period saw the rise of witty comedies, biting satire, and innovative staging techniques.

Restoration theater reflected the changing social and political landscape of England. Playwrights like William Wycherley and William Congreve crafted works that critiqued upper-class society, explored gender roles, and pushed boundaries with their frank depictions of sexuality and relationships.

Historical context of Restoration

• Restoration period in English history marked significant cultural and political shifts influencing theater and arts
• Reopening of theaters after Puritan rule reshaped dramatic landscape and audience expectations
• French influence on English drama introduced new styles and themes to the stage

End of Puritan rule

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• Marked by Charles II's ascension to the throne in 1660
• Ended strict moral codes and restrictions on public entertainment
• Ushered in an era of renewed artistic expression and cultural liberalization

Reopening of theaters

• Royal patents granted to Thomas Killigrew and William Davenant in 1660
• Established two theater companies Duke's Company and King's Company
• Led to rapid growth in theatrical productions and new playhouses (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane)

Influence of French drama

• Introduction of neoclassical principles from French theater
• Emphasis on the three unities time, place, and action
• Adoption of French-style comedies and tragedies (heroic drama)

Key characteristics

• Restoration theater reflected societal changes and new artistic freedoms
• Emphasized wit, satire, and social commentary in dramatic works
• Introduced more complex staging and performance techniques

Comedy of manners

• Focused on the behavior and social interactions of upper-class society
• Used clever dialogue and situational humor to expose social foibles
• Often featured stock characters (fops, rakes, ingenues)

Satirical themes

• Critiqued societal norms, politics, and human nature
• Employed irony and exaggeration to highlight social issues
• Targeted specific individuals or groups for mockery (religious hypocrites, social climbers)

Wit and repartee

• Characterized by quick, clever exchanges between characters
• Utilized puns, double entendres, and verbal sparring
• Reflected the intellectual and social values of the Restoration period

Notable playwrights

• Restoration playwrights shaped the dramatic landscape of the period
• Their works often reflected personal experiences and observations of society
• Many playwrights were also active in political and social spheres

William Wycherley

• Known for his biting satire and frank depictions of sexuality
• Wrote The Country Wife and The Plain Dealer
• Influenced by Molière and French comedy of manners

William Congreve

• Master of Restoration comedy and witty dialogue
• Penned The Way of the World and Love for Love
• Known for complex plots and nuanced character development

John Dryden

• Prolific writer who excelled in various genres (poetry, criticism, drama)
• Wrote heroic plays (The Conquest of Granada) and comedies (Marriage à la Mode)
• Served as Poet Laureate and historiographer royal

Popular plays

• Restoration plays often tackled controversial themes and pushed social boundaries
• Many works from this period continue to be performed and studied today
• These plays provide insight into the social and cultural norms of the time

The Country Wife

• Written by William Wycherley in 1675
• Satirizes sexual hypocrisy and marital infidelity
• Features the character Horner who feigns impotence to seduce married women

The Way of the World

• Penned by William Congreve in 1700
• Considered one of the finest Restoration comedies
• Explores themes of love, marriage, and social maneuvering

All for Love

• Written by John Dryden in 1677
• Retells the story of Antony and Cleopatra
• Exemplifies the neoclassical approach to tragedy in the Restoration period

Theatrical innovations

• Restoration theater introduced new technical and performative elements
• These innovations enhanced the visual spectacle and realism of productions
• Many of these changes laid the groundwork for modern theatrical practices

Proscenium arch stage

• Introduced a framed stage separate from the audience
• Created a picture-frame effect for the theatrical action
• Allowed for more elaborate set designs and scene changes

Movable scenery

• Implemented systems of grooves and flats for quick scene changes
• Enhanced the visual spectacle of productions
• Enabled more complex and varied settings within a single play

Female actors

• Women allowed to perform on stage for the first time in English theater
• Led to new types of roles and storylines (breeches roles)
• Actresses like Nell Gwyn became celebrities and royal mistresses

Social commentary

• Restoration theater served as a platform for critiquing society and politics
• Playwrights used humor and satire to address contemporary issues
• Theatrical works often reflected and influenced public opinion

Class structure critique

• Explored tensions between aristocracy and rising middle class
• Satirized social climbers and pretensions of nobility
• Highlighted economic disparities and changing social dynamics

Gender roles exploration

• Challenged traditional notions of masculinity and femininity
• Depicted women as intelligent and sexually aware characters
• Examined power dynamics in courtship and marriage

Political satire

• Commented on current political events and figures
• Used allegory and symbolism to criticize government policies
• Often walked a fine line between critique and censorship

Restoration vs Elizabethan theater

• Restoration theater marked a significant departure from Elizabethan traditions
• Reflected changing social norms and artistic tastes
• Incorporated new theatrical technologies and performance styles

Audience composition

• Restoration audiences more socially elite and fashion-conscious
• Greater presence of women in the audience
• Theaters became spaces for social interaction and display

Theatrical conventions

• Restoration plays adhered more closely to neoclassical unities
• Greater emphasis on spectacle and visual elements
• More naturalistic acting style compared to Elizabethan declamatory approach

Thematic focus

• Shift from historical and romantic themes to contemporary social issues
• Increased emphasis on wit and intellectual humor
• More explicit treatment of sexual themes and relationships

18th-century developments

• Theater in the 18th century evolved from Restoration styles
• New genres emerged reflecting changing social values and audience tastes
• Theatrical innovations continued to shape performance and production techniques

Sentimental comedy

• Emerged in the early 18th century as a reaction to Restoration comedy
• Emphasized moral lessons and virtuous characters
• Aimed to evoke emotional responses from the audience (tears, sympathy)

Bourgeois tragedy

• Focused on middle-class characters and domestic settings
• Explored moral dilemmas and social issues relevant to the growing middle class
• Notable examples include George Lillo's The London Merchant

Ballad opera

• Combined spoken dialogue with popular songs and ballads
• Often satirized Italian opera and contemporary politics
• John Gay's The Beggar's Opera (1728) exemplified this genre

Censorship and regulation

• Government control over theater increased during the 18th century
• Censorship aimed to limit political criticism and maintain social order
• Regulations shaped the content and production of theatrical works

Licensing Act of 1737

• Required all plays to be approved by the Lord Chamberlain before performance
• Limited the number of theaters allowed to operate in London
• Remained in effect until 1968, significantly impacting British theater

Impact on political content

• Reduced overt political satire in plays
• Led playwrights to use more subtle forms of critique and allegory
• Shifted focus towards historical and literary subjects

Rise of literary drama

• Increased focus on publishing plays as literature
• Emergence of closet dramas written to be read rather than performed
• Contributed to the development of dramatic criticism and theory

Legacy and influence

• Restoration and 18th-century theater significantly shaped modern drama
• Many works from this period continue to be performed and studied
• Theatrical innovations from this era influenced subsequent dramatic forms

Impact on modern comedy

• Influenced development of situation comedy and romantic comedy
• Contributed to techniques of social satire in contemporary works
• Shaped character archetypes still used in modern comedic writing

Restoration in contemporary theater

• Revival productions of Restoration plays in major theaters
• Adaptations that update settings or themes for modern audiences
• Influence on playwrights exploring similar themes of social critique and wit

Literary adaptations

• Restoration and 18th-century plays adapted for film and television
• Novels and other literary works inspired by theatrical works of the period
• Academic study and critical analysis of plays as important literary texts