Restoration drama

-theatres reopened in 1660, after being closed for 18 years, since 1642 English
drama tradition is resumed
- performances are influenced by Italian opera oertures, curtain tunes,
instrumental interludes, alternations of !ayres" #songs$ and unsung dialogue%
ital changes, also due to the composer &enry 'urcell
- deelopment of stage design illusions of spaces, changes of scene
- patronage of (ing )harles II and *ames, +u(e of ,or(
- the repertoire returns to -ha(espeare, *onson
- musical and choreographic spectacle
- preoccupation .ith politics in tragedies of the neo-classical canon, cultiated
by *ohn +ryden, .ith his declamatory, suffering, emotional conflicts, intrigues
and ma.(ish sentiments% interest in foreign politics
- a ne. comic style figuring philandery and romance games% a re/ection of
solemnity and moral seriousness% satirical plays .hich reerse and debun( the
heroics of tragedy and often pompous absurdity
- 0he 1ehearsal by 2eorge 3illiers, 2
nd
+u(e of 4uc(ingham #1628-1685$
burles6ues the heroic mode and satirises play.rights, producers, actors
- -ir 2eorge Etherage #1674-1681$% .rites a hybrid, symmetrical, se9ual
comedy .hich accentuates the artificiality of the stage% fran( and realistic
manner of representation
- 0he )omical 1eenge: or ;oe in a 0ub #+u(e"s 0heatre, 1664$% double plot
the amatory rialry bet.een t.o gentlemen<couples and the farcical antics of
the old playboy -ir =rederic( =rollic( and his =rench alet +ufoy
- -he .ou"d if she cou"d #1688$ ;ady )oc(.ood comes up from the country
and courts adultery despite her prudish pretence of respectability% )ourtall and
=reeman are t.o ;ondon libertines courting >riana and 2atty% t.o (inds of
hypocrisy and double standards #the pretentious, reprobate )oc(.oods, the
gallants .ho triumpth through alternatie deception% the older loers are
implicitly ridiculous% young men angling for ladies of good society
- 0he ?an of ?ode: or -ir =oping =lutter #1656$ is his funniest and best
crafted% successful philanderer% +orimant and ?edley are models of merriment,
cleerness, resilient good nature and se9ual irresistibility ersus the =renchified
fool !a person of great ac6uired follies% +orimant, a sceptical, manipulatie
corrupter, eentually falls for &arriet @oodil% a 6uiAAical, ambiguous play
designed to diert a cynical .orld and e9 the moraliAing, self-righteous ones
- @illiam @ycherly #1641-151B$
- 0he 'lain +ealer #1656$ !obliged all honest and irtuous men, by one of the
most bold, most general and most useful satires eer presented in English
theatre #*ohn +ryden$
- a satirist by inclination, rarely an earnest moralist
- focus on the dubious morals of society and the dangers of posturing
- accentuates high society"s cultiation of superficiality, .hich eleates .it and
politeness aboe personal decency% the comedy abounds in aimless confusions
- ;oe in a @ood, or -tC*ames"s 'ar( #1651$, 0he 2entleman +ancing-?aster
#1652$
- 0he )ountry @ife #165B$ mastery of construction and situation% the se9ual
gourmand &orner is presented in sardonic tones% the play abounds in ridiculous
fools, hypocrites, gulls% a debauchery campaign .ithout retribution% their !dear,
dear honour" #a pun on &orner$ undermines the pretence