The Impact of Restoration Comedy on Theatre :: European History

The Impact of proceeds waggery on orbitShortly after the glory geezerhood of Elizabethan and Jacobean household, a Puritanical movement led by Oliver Cromwell gained correspond of Parliament. Cromwell ethics did not extend to cover the moral extravagance of line of business. infra the guise of public health and safety, Parliament ordered the closing of all(prenominal) theatres on September 2, 1642. Such dirty public areas were the perfect bringing up ground for the spreading of plague. Actors were left with two options, join Charles I in the civil war against Cromwell, or defy the law and continue performing. Then, in 1649, Charles lost his head, establishing the new-sprung(prenominal) Commonwealth. In 1653, Cromwell disbanded Parliament and named himself Lord High Protector. During these days of political chaos, a new underground theater evolved. This new theatre was an extremely risky venture. Any actor caught performing would be imprisoned. knock office receipts woul d be confiscated for the Commonwealth. Enormous fines would be levied against any nerve to sit in an audience. Entire playhouses would be destroyed, their interiors gutted or exteriors burned. Theatre face up extinction. It became an obsequious art, catering to Cromwells strict moral code. Killigrew would survive, and eventually form the Theatre Royal, but he lived in constant fear. Davenant worked through legal impart to produce theatre Cromwell could not dispute. His pieces were simple, more opera then play, and propaganda for the Commonwealth. Interestingly, the offset printing woman to appear on the British stage did so in this time, in Davenants The Siege of Rhodes. He began pushing the envelope, uncomfortable in his new sycophantic role. He renewed his ties to the British aristocracy, exiled to France. He befriended Charles II, and when the young nance made his triumphant return to power, Davenant was given the monopoly on all theatre in London. He shared this power with h is old friend doubting Thomas Killigrew. Under their guidance, the theatre exploded back into being. Those who had remained in England during the Commonwealth had go about years of strict moral repression. Those who fled to France had acquired some of the decadence bred across the channel. In combination, these two forces created a nation of wealthy, witty, amoral hedonists. Their theatre reflected their lifestyles. Thus was born the Restoration Tragedy and the Comedy of Manners. The tragedies were broad, sweeping tales of great heroism. The aristocracy liked to cast themselves in these far off lands, being oh so noble and eloquent.