As time went on, trends began to change in theatre. In this fashion he was able to get around all of the restrictions and expectations that were placed on drama during that time. William Davenant, Poet Laureate and accomplished playwright, was forced to present his theatrical activity inside of his own home to avoid the censorship of the public theatre. During this time, trends in theatre were very secret and personal. This time period was known as the Commonwealth.
Though the style appealed greatly to the audiences for the majority of the Restoration’s duration, from 1700 onwards this type of knavish comedy began to fall out of favor.īefore the Restoration period, dramatists had to keep all their activities to a minimum. Scripts and performances reflected on the aristocracy of King Charles II, depicting the members of the upper class as being promiscuous rakes and libertines.
#Elements of a western drama professional
The latter half of the seventeenth century would see both a reinvigorated sense of bawdy humor as well as the emergence of professional female actresses for the first time in the history of the theater (Victoria and Albert). With the onset of the Restoration, however, drama and the arts began to flourish as playwrights and actors alike began taking to the public once again. Under the supervision of the Puritans, the theater and creativity had been heavily suppressed.
Upon reaching London, he issued two patents to leading playwrights of the time and performances began once again (Bellinger). During his years of exile in France, Charles II came to admire the French entertainments and theatrical styles. Drolls, or a shorter version of plays, quickly became popular because performers could evade some of the restrictions by having “musical entertainments” with friends in their own homes (“Western Theatre: Fix Citation throughoutEnglish Restoration: Theatre Movements“). As a result, people were forced to engage in theatrical activities in privacy. During this time period, known as the Commonwealth, theatres were closed. There was little inspiration, and performances were given in secrecy: in taverns or private houses miles from town (Bellinger). – William Congreve, Prologue to The Way of the Worldīefore the Stuart dynasty was restored to the throne of England, in 1660, Puritan rule made it very difficult for dramatists to perform. Should grants to poets made admit resumption, To build on that might prove a vain presumption, This author, heretofore, has found your favour,īut pleads no merit from his past behaviour. The Squire that’s buttered still, is sure to be undone. Suffered at first some trifling stakes to win:Įach time they write they venture all they’ve won: The Drury Lane Theatre, London, watercolor by Edward Dayes, 1795
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