Restoration Theater Practices and Features

The English Restoration period marked the return of the monarchy and a revival of theater in 1660. Theatrical styles from Elizabethan, Italian, and French traditions merged, influencing play forms, theater companies, and architecture. Comedies of manners became popular, often satirizing the upper class. Key playwrights included Thomas Shadwell and William Wycherley. Theater companies saw changes with women performing and actors receiving set fees. Theater buildings evolved with enclosed structures and innovative stage designs. By the late 1700s, societal changes led to theater reflecting middle-class life.

What event marked the beginning of the English Restoration Theater?

• The beheading of King Charles I

• The death of Oliver Cromwell

• The restoration of Charles II to the throne

• The exile of the royal family to France

Which theatrical practices influenced the English Restoration Theater?

• American and Russian

• Greek and Roman

• Spanish and German

• Italian and French

What was a key feature of the new theater style during the Restoration?

• Use of elaborate costumes

• Blend of Elizabethan and Italian/French stage practices

• Focus on tragic plays

• Introduction of musical performances

What type of plays were most popular during the Restoration period?

• Musicals

• Tragedies

• Historical dramas

• Comedies of manners

Who was one of the first playwrights to write comedies of manners?

• Thomas Shadwell

• Christopher Marlowe

• William Shakespeare

• Ben Jonson

What change occurred in theater companies during the Restoration?

• Use of outdoor stages

• Introduction of women actors

• Elimination of ticket fees

• Focus on religious themes

How were actors paid during the Restoration period?

• By audience donations

• By a set fee for a set period

• Through government subsidies

• By collecting a share of the profits

What was a characteristic of Restoration theater buildings?

• Circular open-air structures

• Located outside city limits

• Enclosed with a roof

• Built entirely of wood

What was a feature of the stage in Restoration theater?

• A water-filled moat

• A trapdoor for special effects

• A slanted floor

• A rotating platform

How was scenery managed in Restoration theater?

• By audience volunteers

• With digital projections

• Using a complicated system of ropes

• By stage hands sliding flats