17th and 18th Century English Theatre and Drama Flashcards
Charles II
- responsible for nurseries (schools for actresses), women on stage.
- known as “the merry monarch”, loved pretty women, loved the theatre, had many mistresses, 14-16 illegit children.
- famous mistresses include Moll Davis and Nell Gwyn
James II
- brother to Charles II
- allowed Catholicism
- died in 1701
William and Mary
- Mary was daughter of James, she was a protestant
- monarchs during “The Glorious Revolution”
- puritanical mindset
- William continued to rule after Mary’s death
Anne
Mary’s sister
George III
- ruled during time of American Revolution
- was seixed by a disease known as porpheria
- went mad (due to the disease)
- known for the USA breaking away and for going mad
Samuel Johnson
- 1st English dictionary
- devotee and lover of Shakespeare, brought Shakespeare back into popularity
- preface of Shakespeare’s works, analysis and criticism; discussion of brilliance and faults
Jonathan Swift
- author of “A Modest Proposal”
Alexander Pope
- poet
- wrote The Rape of the Lock (epic poem)
Henry Fielding
- Tom Thumb or the Tragedy of Tragedies
What was the major change associated with English Drama at this time?
Drama being used as a means of promoting a rational moral order, not a licentious one as was the case with Restoration Drama.
Jeremy Collier
-wrote an article, “A Short View of the Immorality and Profaneness of the English Stage”
Transitional Drama
- Colley Cibber “Love’s Last Shift”
- George Farquear “The Recruiting Officer” and “The Beaux Stratagem”
- Significance: sentimentalism finds its way into comedy
What was the new kind of drama that emerged?
bourgeois or domestic tragedy
Bourgeois/Domestic Tragedy
blend of tragedy and comedy, focuses on bourgeois or middle class
Demi Diderot
Frenchman wrote encylcopediea, called for a new form of French Drama, wanted to get rid of Neo Classicism
Edward Moore
- wrote “The Gamester” (1753)
- this work is thought to be partially written by David Garrick
What were some examples of Laughing Comedy?
- Oliver Goldsmith’s “She Stoops to Conquer or the Mistakes of a Night”
- Richard Brinsely Sheridan’s “The School for Scandal”
What were some minor dramatic types of the era?
- pantomime
- ballad opera
- comic opera
- satirical burlesque
Pantomime
- developed by John Rich
- traditional Christmastime entertainment
- orginated from Harlequin dances, were take offs on traditional fairytales
- featured gender bending and cross dressing
Ballad Opera
- musical drama, dialogue w/ song, contemporary music used
ex. John Gay’s “The Beggar’s Opera” (1728)
Comic Opera
- like operettas
- ex. Sheridan’s “The Duenna”
David Garrick
-helped revive Shakespeare with Samuel Johnson
Meg Woffington
-David Garrick’s paramour, famous for her breeches roles
What were the physical theatres like?
- Wing and Drop settings
- Apron Stage: brought the actors closer to the audience
- Proscenium Doors: unique to the 17th century, SL and SR for entrances and Exits
- Boxes on Apron’: above proscenium doors
- Illumination (candlelight)
- Costumes of the day=no historical accuracy
