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Background: England in the Seventeenth Century The Restoration: from 1660 to 1700 Charles II assumed the throne at the invitation of the Parliament Exiled English nobility returned from France, bringing with them French theatrical practices Actress Nell Gwynn with Charles II © 2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 2 Restoration Drama: Theatres represented a fusion of Elizabethan, Italian, and French stage conventions Gave a unique flavor to every aspect: texts, theatre buildings, and set designs © 2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 3 Restoration Drama: Comedies of Manners ▪ Comedies of manners – form of comic drama that became popular in 17th century France and English Restoration that poked fun at the social conventions of the upper class. They emphasized a sophisticated atmosphere ▪ Most of the upper-class characters were disreputable ▪ Emphasized witty dialogue ▪ Audiences: primarily the nobility and the upper class © 2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 4 Restoration Drama: ▪ Dramatic structure combined features of Elizabethan theater and the theater of Italy and France ▪ William Wycherley’s The Country Wife – More unified in action than Shakespeare and less scene changes but does have subplots Stock characters with names that describe their traits © 2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 5 Restoration Drama: ▪ Comedies of Humors ▪ In tradition of Ben Jonson with one trait overshadowing all others ▪ Comedies of Intrigue ▪ daring exploits of romance and adventure with complicated plots ▪ Aphra Behn – most successful writer of this genre – a woman ▪ Female playwrights emerged during the English Restoration ▪ 1695-96 – London saw productions by 7 female playwrights ▪ Three women very active during this time: Mary Pix, Delariviere Manley and Catherine Trotter © 2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 6 Theatre Production in the Restoration Performers and Acting Companies ▪ Biggest difference between English Renaissance and Restoration was women appeared in plays ▪ Performers were hired for a specific period of time at a set salary © 2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 7 Theatre Production in the Restoration continued All Restoration Theaters: ▪ were indoor ▪ divided audience into pit, boxes and galleries ▪ could seat about 650 © 2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 8 Background: A More Complex World The 18th century was a time of transition Western Europe prospered more than ever before Called the Age of Enlightenment © 2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 9 Eighteenth-Century Drama: New Dramatic Forms 10 Eighteenth-Century Drama: New Dramatic Forms continued Drame – 18th century French term usually denoting a serious drama that dealt with middle-class characters ▪ A new French form of drama ▪ The virtuous were rewarded and the wicked punished ▪ By the end of the century, was being written in France, Germany, and England © 2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 11 Eighteenth-Century Drama: New Dramatic Forms continued Satirical ballad opera –18th century English dramatic form that burlesqued (satirized) opera Sentimental comedy – focused on morality rather than laughter © 2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 12 Theatre Production in the Eighteenth Century Government and Theatre ▪ Government attempted to regulate theatre ▪ England: the Licensing Act ▪ France: restricted what types of plays could be produced, and granted monopolies to certain theatres © 2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 13 Theatre Production in the Eighteenth Century continued Eighteenth-Century Theatre Architecture ▪ Theatres became larger to accommodate the new middle-class audiences ▪ Egg-shaped interiors improved sight lines ▪ Theatre building proliferated throughout Europe © 2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 14 Theatre Production in the Eighteenth Century continued Scenery, Lighting, and Costumes ▪ Italy produced many scenic innovations ▪ Bibiena family—for nearly 100 years, the most influential Italian designers and theatre architects ▪ Designs were extravagant © 2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 15 THE THEATRE AT DROTTNINGHOLM, SWEDEN This theatre still has the sets and stage machinery that were used when it was built as a court playhouse in the 18th century. It is an excellent example of an Italian proscenium theatre with the pole and chariot system for changing scenery. © 2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 16 Multi-point scenic perspective by By Giuseppe Galli Bibiena (1690 - 1756) © 2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 17 Theatre Production in the Eighteenth Century continued Additional elements sometimes seen in scenic design: ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ Ground rows (cut-outs along stage floor) Large scenic cut-outs (like painted trees) Rolled back drops Act drops (curtains at the front of the stage) © 2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 18 Theatre Production in the Eighteenth Century continued 18th century Italian designers are also said to have introduced the box set – interior setting using flats to form the back and side walls and often the ceilings of a room © 2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 19 Theatre Production in the Eighteenth Century continued The Emergence of the Director ▪ Playwrights and leading performers doubled as directors ▪ Forerunners of the modern stage director ▪ English actor David Garrick ▪ German playwright Johann Wolfgang von Goethe © 2013 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 20