Restoration Comedy/Comedy of Manners (Restoration Theatre)

Abstract

Though hardly comparable to the renown of the Renaissance theatre and the ubiquitous popularity of Shakespeare, the theatre of the Restoration and 18th-century has introduced a fair number of innovations and changes that will determine our perception and reception of stage plays well into to 20th century. This lesson is part of a three-part take on the era’s theatre, introducing three prominent genres: (a) Restoration comedy or comedy of manners (vs the 18th-century Sentimental Comedy), (b) heroic tragedy or drama, and (c) the musical theatre. Starting with a short historical overview focusing on the precursory events that gave historical significance to the Restoration theatre, namely, the banning of theatres during the Commonwealth and its consequences, special attention will be paid to the novel features of the resurging theatrical life following the restoration of monarchy. Topics will include: • Prohibitions against acting (and its Elizabethan roots) • Resurgence of theatre (two-company monopoly system) • Changes and innovations o Restauration purpose-built theatres o Female actresess • Restoration Comedy vs 18th-century Sentimental Comedy o E.g. Wycherley’s The Country Wife o Critique of comedy of manners: Collier o Critique of sentimental comedy: Goldsmith