English Restoration & 18 th Century. King Charles II

Transcription

1 English Restoration & 18 th Century King Charles II

2 Restoration Comedy A comedy of manners Ridiculed human failings Breaches of a "sophisticated code of manners" Established by the courtiers of Charles II

3 Ideal Gentleman 1. Was well born 2. Well dressed 3. Poised and witty 4. Skilled in love making 5. Conduct several affairs simultaneously 6. Never boasted of his affairs 7. Always discreet 8. Never fell in love 9. Not jealous if his wife took a lover

4 Fashionable Young Lady 1. Familiar with the world of intrigue, 2. But did not become involved in it. 3. If she was a widow, she could take a lover as long as she was not found out 4. If she was married, she should not expect constancy in her husband.

5 William Congreve Wrote 4 comedies and 1 tragedy His masterpiece: The Way of the World (1700) Best example of Restoration Comedy

6 Way of the World

7 John Dryden Primarily a poet Critic Translator Playwright noted for his Neo-Classic Tragedies Major literary figure of Restoration England

8 All for Love or A World Well Lost 1677 Dryden s most often revived work Based on Shakespeare s Anthony and Cleopatra He took Shakespeare's episodic tragedy, and turned it into a small cast climactic tragedy which observes the unity of time and place.

9 Episodic to Climactic 15 years of dramatic time into one 24 hour day. Large cast (30 men and 4 women) into a smaller and more manageable cast (6 men and 4 women). Scenes in Rome and Egypt into one location: in front of the Temple of Isis in Aleixandre, Egypt

10 The Actor-Manager Acting company owned and controlled by one man: the manager Usually was the leading actor Chose plays which best exhibited his abilities Wife was often the leading lady Remainder of the company was hired Managed the theatre in which they performed

11 David Garrick Actor with over 90 roles in his repertory Manager of Drury Lane Playwright or adapter Director and designer

12 Women on the English Stage Were introduced during the Restoration The Problems 1. Acting was not socially acceptable 2. Few women roles in the standard repertory 3. New works, especially Restoration Comedy used more women 4. Women were often retired by their lover after a short life on stage

13 Nell Gwynn Most popular comic actress of the period Performed for only 4 years: Was mistress of King Charles Bore him two sons Was retired by order of the King

14 Legitimate theatre Only two theatres in London permitted to present full length dramas Also known as Royal and Patent Theatres After the Licensing Act of 1737, the two legitimate houses were Covent Garden and Drury Lane The monopoly lasted for 183 years, from 1660 to 1843.

15 Legitimate Theatre Today: Theatre of the spoken word

16 Minor Theatres A London playhouse which could not perform "regular" drama They could present 1. Short plays (two or three act) 2. Operas 3. Melodramas 4. Illustrated lectures

17 Restoration Stage 1660 A proscenium theatre with a deep forestage or apron Proscenium framed the scenery Actors performed on the forestage Entrances were made through doors on the apron Auditorium held about 700

18 Cross Section of Drury Lane Proscenium 2. Wings 3. Pit 4. Gallery 5. Boxes

19 Restoration Theatre

20 A Restoration Theatre

21 Richard Sheridan Playwright remembered for his Sentimental Comedies Manager of Drury Lane Member of Parliament Most important work: The School for Scandal (1777)

22 The School for Scandal

23 John Gay Poet and Playwright Wrote political satire Most important work: The Beggar s Opera (1728) Was a Ballad Opera Ran for 62 consecutive performances First long run

24 The Beggar s Opera W. Hogarth s Painting (1728)

25 Ballad or Italian Opera Ballad Opera: Music is adapted from popular folk songs or bar room tunes Italian opera: Original music is composed for the production

26 Beginning of American Theatre English actor Lewis Hallam ( ) establishes a theatre in Williamsburg, PA They also perform in 1. New York, NY 2. Philadelphia, PA 3. Charleston, SC

27 Drury Lane Capacity: 3,600 Stage: 85 wide by 92 deep Proscenium: 43 wide by 38 high Theatre was too large for drama

28 18 th Century Restoration Theatre

29 Drury Lane Burns 1809

30 Royal Drottningholm Theatre Stockholm, Sweden

31 Small court theatre Built in 1766 Closed in 1792 Rediscovered in 1920 Reopened in 1922 Working example of a 18 th century court theatre

32 Interior of the Drottningholm Theatre

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