17th and 18th Century English Theatre and Drama

Question 1

Charles II

Answer 1

• 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

Question 2

James II

Answer 2

• brother to Charles II
• allowed Catholicism
• died in 1701

Question 3

William and Mary

Answer 3

• Mary was daughter of James, she was a protestant
• monarchs during “The Glorious Revolution”
• puritanical mindset
• William continued to rule after Mary’s death

Question 4

Anne

Answer 4

Mary’s sister

Question 5

George III

Answer 5

• 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

Question 6

Samuel Johnson

Answer 6

• 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

Question 7

Jonathan Swift

Answer 7

• author of “A Modest Proposal”

Question 8

Alexander Pope

Answer 8

• poet

- wrote The Rape of the Lock (epic poem)

Question 9

Henry Fielding

Answer 9

• Tom Thumb or the Tragedy of Tragedies

Question 10

What was the major change associated with English Drama at this time?

Answer 10

Drama being used as a means of promoting a rational moral order, not a licentious one as was the case with Restoration Drama.

Question 11

Jeremy Collier

Answer 11

-wrote an article, “A Short View of the Immorality and Profaneness of the English Stage”

Question 12

Transitional Drama

Answer 12

1. Colley Cibber “Love’s Last Shift”
2. George Farquear “The Recruiting Officer” and “The Beaux Stratagem”
   - Significance: sentimentalism finds its way into comedy

Question 13

What was the new kind of drama that emerged?

Answer 13

bourgeois or domestic tragedy

Question 14

Bourgeois/Domestic Tragedy

Answer 14

blend of tragedy and comedy, focuses on bourgeois or middle class

Question 15

Demi Diderot

Answer 15

Frenchman wrote encylcopediea, called for a new form of French Drama, wanted to get rid of Neo Classicism

Question 16

Edward Moore

Answer 16

• wrote “The Gamester” (1753)

- this work is thought to be partially written by David Garrick

Question 17

What were some examples of Laughing Comedy?

Answer 17

• Oliver Goldsmith’s “She Stoops to Conquer or the Mistakes of a Night”
• Richard Brinsely Sheridan’s “The School for Scandal”

Question 18

What were some minor dramatic types of the era?

Answer 18

• pantomime
• ballad opera
• comic opera
• satirical burlesque

Question 19

Pantomime

Answer 19

• developed by John Rich
• traditional Christmastime entertainment
• orginated from Harlequin dances, were take offs on traditional fairytales
• featured gender bending and cross dressing

Question 20

Ballad Opera

Answer 20

• musical drama, dialogue w/ song, contemporary music used

ex. John Gay’s “The Beggar’s Opera” (1728)

Question 21

Comic Opera

Answer 21

• like operettas

- ex. Sheridan’s “The Duenna”

Question 22

David Garrick

Answer 22

-helped revive Shakespeare with Samuel Johnson

Question 23

Meg Woffington

Answer 23

-David Garrick’s paramour, famous for her breeches roles

Question 24

What were the physical theatres like?

Answer 24

• 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