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Restoration Theatre 1660-1710
A time of firsts: For the first time, actors became public personalities and celebrities. Audiences were attracted by particular actors, as much as by particular plays.
Popular Playwrights of the Restoration: William Congreve - The Way of the World William Wycherly - The Country Wife George Etheridge - She Would if She Could (By the early 1700's these aristocratic and amoral plays lost popularity, and the concept of teaching morals within plays returned.)
By: Ashley Ward Credits: NOVA online Wikipedia Flickr.com
A Brief History... In 1642, a civil war- the Puritan Revolution. Charles I was beheaded, theatre was outlawed as it was conected with the monarchy and immoral behavior. In 166o, Charles II was restored to the throne. He'd been hiding in France, and brought theatre back to England, along with Italian and French styles and staging. The theatre brought back rebelled against the Puritan ideal and was designed primarily for the aristocracy.
Restoration Comedy was called a Comedy of Manners, and was characterized by: * Witty Dialogue *Sophisticated behavior of an artificial and aristocratic society * Virtue came from catching someone or not getting caught * Honor came from reputation, not dignity
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The Theatre Space: Taking note of French and Italian styles, the theatres built during the Restoration were very ornate, fully enclosed, and built with the aristocracy in mind. Likewise, costumes, wigs, make-up and scenery were very elaborate as well. The stage and house were lit by candle light, making night performances possible. With these changes, Restoration thatre differed sharply from earlier styles of theatre
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