Restoration Theatre. And the Comedy of Manners. Friday 30 December 11

Restoration Theatre And the Comedy of Manners

After Shakespeare, what next?

After Shakespeare, what next? Shakespeare s final plays - Pericles, Cymbelline, The Winter s Tale and The Tempest

After Shakespeare, what next? Shakespeare s final plays - Pericles, Cymbelline, The Winter s Tale and The Tempest All experimental pieces

After Shakespeare, what next? Shakespeare s final plays - Pericles, Cymbelline, The Winter s Tale and The Tempest All experimental pieces The death of Elizabeth I changes the tone of Renaissance Theatre

Jacobean Theatre

Jacobean Theatre Ben Jonson - Volpone, The Alchemist and Bartholomew Fayre

Jacobean Theatre Ben Jonson - Volpone, The Alchemist and Bartholomew Fayre John Webster - The White Devil, The Duchess of Malfi

Jacobean Theatre Ben Jonson - Volpone, The Alchemist and Bartholomew Fayre John Webster - The White Devil, The Duchess of Malfi Middleton + Tourneur - The Changeling, The Revenger s Tragedy, The Atheist s Tragedy

BEN JOHNSON

BEN JOHNSON Most influential after Shakespeare

BEN JOHNSON Most influential after Shakespeare Had strong convictions about what audiences should like

BEN JOHNSON Most influential after Shakespeare Had strong convictions about what audiences should like Arrogant, quarrelsome, volatile temper

BEN JOHNSON Most influential after Shakespeare Had strong convictions about what audiences should like Arrogant, quarrelsome, volatile temper Imprisoned 2 times

BEN JOHNSON Most influential after Shakespeare Had strong convictions about what audiences should like Arrogant, quarrelsome, volatile temper Imprisoned 2 times Most famous works:volpone, The Alchemist, The Devil Is an Ass, Bartholomew Fair

COURT MASQUES

COURT MASQUES Derived under James I (1603-1625)

COURT MASQUES Derived under James I (1603-1625) Written often to compliment a person or occasion

COURT MASQUES Derived under James I (1603-1625) Written often to compliment a person or occasion Specific roles were done by professional actor but courtiers themselves performed the masque

COURT MASQUES Derived under James I (1603-1625) Written often to compliment a person or occasion Specific roles were done by professional actor but courtiers themselves performed the masque Contained three spectacular dances

COURT MASQUES

COURT MASQUES Allegorical story used comparing honored person to a mythical character or situation

COURT MASQUES Allegorical story used comparing honored person to a mythical character or situation Dancers were usually all men but sometimes ½ men and 1/2 women in a double masque

COURT MASQUES Allegorical story used comparing honored person to a mythical character or situation Dancers were usually all men but sometimes ½ men and 1/2 women in a double masque Scenery,costumes and special effects for most of the Masques were by Indigo Jones(1574-1652)

Cromwell

Cromwell After Elizabeth s death in 1603 - James I of Scotland takes the English throne

Cromwell After Elizabeth s death in 1603 - James I of Scotland takes the English throne Charles I succeeds James in 1629 - has Catholic sympathies

Cromwell After Elizabeth s death in 1603 - James I of Scotland takes the English throne Charles I succeeds James in 1629 - has Catholic sympathies Charles I clashes with Parliament over the power of the throne

The English Civil War

The English Civil War England split into two camps - Cavaliers (supporters of the king) and Roundheads (supporters of Parliament)

The English Civil War England split into two camps - Cavaliers (supporters of the king) and Roundheads (supporters of Parliament) Theatres are closed and public entertainment (such as Maypole dancing) are forbidden 1649 - King Charles executed on the steps of Parlaiment

The English Civil War

The English Civil War 1649 - many of Charles supporters flee to the Americas establishing theatres in Williamsburg, Jamestown and Charleston

The English Civil War 1649 - many of Charles supporters flee to the Americas establishing theatres in Williamsburg, Jamestown and Charleston Most flee to France and attend French indoor Court Theatre - soon to be the biggest influence on the new English Theatre

BACKGROUND TO THE RESTORATION

BACKGROUND TO THE RESTORATION During the Protectorate all theatre activity was forbidden but music was still allowed, for example, William Davenant staged what is considered to be the first English opera in 1654 using imported Italian scenery, performed privately. In 1660 Charles II was restored as king and theatre required a fresh start as actors groups had been disbanded years before and the theatres had become dilapidated.

French Influence

French Influence Cardinal Richelieu, first Prime Minister of France 1625 - stabilized economy, influenced public with both his own power and the power of the Catholic Church.

French Influence Cardinal Richelieu, first Prime Minister of France 1625 - stabilized economy, influenced public with both his own power and the power of the Catholic Church. Italian theatre impacted the French theatre via sets and presentation. Richelieu built a theatre in his palace which King Louis XIV took over in 1642. This theatre had an Italian influenced proscenium arch.

French Influence Cardinal Richelieu, first Prime Minister of France 1625 - stabilized economy, influenced public with both his own power and the power of the Catholic Church. Richelieu built a theatre in his palace which King Louis XIV took over in 1642. Italian theatre impacted the French theatre via sets and presentation. French drama pursued issues of verisimilitude, purity of drama, fiveact plays. This theatre had an Italian influenced proscenium arch.

French Influence Cardinal Richelieu, first Prime Minister of France 1625 - stabilized economy, influenced public with both his own power and the power of the Catholic Church. Richelieu built a theatre in his palace which King Louis XIV took over in 1642. Italian theatre impacted the French theatre via sets and presentation. French drama pursued issues of verisimilitude, purity of drama, fiveact plays. Moliere perfected the French comedy in his lifetime. This theatre had an Italian influenced proscenium arch.

French Influence Cardinal Richelieu s Theatre, at the Palais-Royal, or Palais-Cardinal, built in 1622. King Louis XIV took over in 1642.

King Louis XIV

King Louis XIV Known as the Sun-King.

King Louis XIV Known as the Sun-King. Reigned from 1642 until 1715. Enjoyed theatre.

King Louis XIV Known as the Sun-King. Reigned from 1642 until 1715. Enjoyed theatre. His influences on the theatre are still present today.

King Louis XIV Known as the Sun-King. Reigned from 1642 until 1715. Enjoyed theatre. His influences on the theatre are still present today. -Deep box stage.

King Louis XIV Known as the Sun-King. Reigned from 1642 until 1715. Enjoyed theatre. His influences on the theatre are still present today. -Deep box stage. -Audience sits in front.

King Louis XIV

King Louis XIV -A curtain was used.

King Louis XIV -A curtain was used. -Wing space utilized.

King Louis XIV -A curtain was used. -Wing space utilized. -Elaborate scenery.

King Louis XIV -A curtain was used. -Wing space utilized. -Elaborate scenery. -Mechanical devices were used.

King Louis XIV -A curtain was used. -Wing space utilized. -Elaborate scenery. -Mechanical devices were used. -Females performed.

King Louis XIV -Artificial Lights were used above the stage and on the apron of the stage.

Verisimilitude

Verisimilitude The appearance of truth, reality, morality and abstraction

Verisimilitude The appearance of truth, reality, morality and abstraction The demand for faithfulness demonstrated by showing wickedness.

Verisimilitude The appearance of truth, reality, morality and abstraction The demand for faithfulness demonstrated by showing wickedness. Wickedness was punished.

Verisimilitude The appearance of truth, reality, morality and abstraction The demand for faithfulness demonstrated by showing wickedness. Wickedness was punished. Family, love, and marriage were examined by playwrights.

Moliere

Moliere Born (1622) Jean Baptiste Poquelin, son of a successful upholsterer. (Died in 1673.)

Moliere Born (1622) Jean Baptiste Poquelin, son of a successful upholsterer. (Died in 1673.) Joined a commedia dell arte troupe and travelled around France.

Moliere Born (1622) Jean Baptiste Poquelin, son of a successful upholsterer. (Died in 1673.) Joined a commedia dell arte troupe and travelled around France. Palais-Royal, 1660.

Moliere Born (1622) Jean Baptiste Poquelin, son of a successful upholsterer. (Died in 1673.) Joined a commedia dell arte troupe and travelled around France. Palais-Royal, 1660. Author of Tartuffe (1664), The School for Wives (1662), The Misanthrope (1666) and more.

Moliere

Moliere Tartuffe, or The Imposter.

Moliere Tartuffe, or The Imposter. Themes of Religious hypocrisy, family values, society itself.

Moliere Tartuffe, or The Imposter. Themes of Religious hypocrisy, family values, society itself. Three reversals in Tartuffe: unmasking of Tartuffe, Orgon at the mercy of Tartuffe; the arrest of Tartuffe.

Moliere

Moliere Five Acts demonstrates French dedication to pure drama.

Moliere Five Acts demonstrates French dedication to pure drama. The contrived ending has been under criticism.

Moliere Five Acts demonstrates French dedication to pure drama. The contrived ending has been under criticism. Farce hilarious treatment of a sometimes serious or trivial theme.

A Study of Human Nature?

A Study of Human Nature? Although his characters are often mere types, Moliere s plays investigate human nature.

A Study of Human Nature? Although his characters are often mere types, Moliere s plays investigate human nature. Are people by nature good and noble or greedy, small minded, and brutal?

Absolutist Theater

Absolutist Theater Louis is King as God.

Absolutist Theater Louis is King as God. Perhaps Moliere is suggesting that human nature is so corrupt that it needs a strong power like an absolute monarch to keep it in check. (Hobbes)

Absolutist Theater Louis is King as God. Perhaps Moliere is suggesting that human nature is so corrupt that it needs a strong power like an absolute monarch to keep it in check. (Hobbes) Or maybe he is just showing Louis what he wants to see.

RESTORATION THEATRE

RESTORATION THEATRE The theatre was closed in 1644 and all theatre was banned through the Cromwellian period in England.

RESTORATION THEATRE The theatre was closed in 1644 and all theatre was banned through the Cromwellian period in England. When Charles II was restored to power he reopened the theatres in England.(1660) Noted for its Comedies Cynical View,witty dialogue, sophisticated sexual behavior

RESTORATION cont.

RESTORATION cont. Depicted the conventions of the Courtly society where elegance of phrase and appearance were highly prized over sincerity and morals.

RESTORATION cont. Depicted the conventions of the Courtly society where elegance of phrase and appearance were highly prized over sincerity and morals. William Congreve(1670-1729) Love for love,the way of the World William Wycherley(1640-1715) The Country wife Oliver Goldsmith: She stoops to Conquer Restoration theatre was first to use women in female roles By the 1700(Queen Anne) there was a revival of classical style and morality.the change was slow at first but by 1730 (George I) the hero/heroine was becoming more virtuous.

KILLIGREW AND DAVENANT After being given the Patents under which to work, both Killigrew and Davenant opened theatres in converted tennis courts. Killigrew created a platform stage very much like those of the Elizabethan theatres for his company, The Kings Men. On the other hand Davenant reinvented the stage, building a proscenium and using scenic art like that seen in Italy and France. As a result of this contrast, the public preferred the more visually exciting and innovative performances with Davenant s theatre and company, The Duke s Men. Both new theatres showed a mixture of English and continental practices reflecting the time Charles II spent in Paris during Cromwellian Britain.

INNOVATIONS

INNOVATIONS Both Killigrew and Davenant had theatres designed for them by Sir Christopher Wren. When designing these theatres Wren had to consider the fact that this type of theatre had never been required before, and could not be based on the Elizabethan public playhouses of before the civil war. The proscenium layout was very innovative for the time. The doors, or wings, on each side allowed the actors to enter and exit the large stage with versatility.

INNOVATIONS The large stage area also gave plenty of room for scenery. The use of scenery was another technique borrowed from Italian and French theatre. The scenery was not used in the same way it is today, to convey the place the action is based. It was a large painted spectacle designed to accompany a particular phase in the plot, maybe only changing with each act.

WOMEN IN THE THEATRE

WOMEN IN THE THEATRE After a brief failed attempt to introduce women to the stage in 1629, it later became acceptable in Britain after it did in Europe.

WOMEN IN THE THEATRE After a brief failed attempt to introduce women to the stage in 1629, it later became acceptable in Britain after it did in Europe. In 1656 Davenant designed The Siege of Rhodes, a semiprivate entertainment, in which the actress Mrs. Coleman took a lead role, and is noted as the introduction of women to the English stage. It is also thought that it was more lenient to allow women on stage because young boys had not been trained to play women adequately while theatre had been outlawed.

WOMEN PLAYWRIGHTS

WOMEN PLAYWRIGHTS Soon after the restoration, women began to be recognised as writers of drama.

WOMEN PLAYWRIGHTS Soon after the restoration, women began to be recognised as writers of drama. One of the first was Mrs. Aphra Behn, who was established as one of the most industrious female playwrights. She wrote 18 plays, of which the majority were highly successful, matching up to her male counterparts. Other established female playwrights included Mrs. Manly and Mrs. Susannah Centlivre. Bothe achieved great success, and adaptations from the french, made by Centlivre were hugely popular and remained on stage for almost a century.

RESTORATION DRAMA

RESTORATION DRAMA Restoration Drama was far inferior to Elizabethan drama. The early playwrights used powerful, original characters in their works, whereas restoration writers were happy with the portrayal of the artificial type. The works of playwright Wycherley reflected a small section of life, with an edge of perfection, similar to that of upper class living.

RESTORATION COMEDY

RESTORATION COMEDY The heroes of restoration comedies were lively, foolish gentlemen. The husbands and fathers were dull in personality, and the heroines were perfect and lovely, with companions who were busy bodies and gossips. The stage plays seemed to be exaggerations of everyday life which were popular with audiences, keeping theatre alive. Present day comedy TV shows use basic satire and extreme versions of stereotypes first used in restoration comedy, showing that the idea has remained foundation to entertainment, still pleasing people to this day.

The Country Wife