Restoration theatre

E97137

Restoration theatre was a vibrant period of English drama following the monarchy’s return in 1660, marked by witty comedies of manners, the introduction of professional actresses, and elaborate staging.

All labels observed (4)

Label Occurrences
Restoration literature 4
English Restoration theatre 2
Restoration comedy 2

How this entity was disambiguated

Statements (56)

Predicate Object
instanceOf historical era of English drama
theatrical period
country England
followedBy 18th-century English theatre
follows Caroline era theatre
Interregnum theatre ban
genre comedy of manners
heroic tragedy
tragicomedy
hasCharacteristic audiences including both court and city spectators
commercial, profit-driven theatre companies
emphasis on wit over plot complexity
focus on aristocratic society
frequent prologues and epilogues
star actor system
strong focus on urban life
use of rhymed couplets in heroic drama
use of stock character types such as the rake and the fop
hasInfluenced 18th-century sentimental comedy
later English stage conventions
modern comedy of manners
hasPart Restoration comedy
Restoration tragedy
comedy of manners
heroic drama
inception Restoration of the monarchy in England
language English
mainLocation London
linked to: London, England
notableActress Anne Bracegirdle
Elizabeth Barry
Nell Gwyn
notableFeature elaborate stage machinery
indoor playhouses
introduction of breeches roles for women
moveable scenery
patent theatre system
professional actresses on the public stage
satire of upper-class manners
sexual frankness
use of footlights and candle lighting
use of proscenium arch stages
witty dialogue
notablePlaywright Aphra Behn
George Etherege
John Dryden
Thomas Otway
William Congreve
William Wycherley
notableTheatreBuilding Dorset Garden Theatre
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
notableTheatreCompany Duke's Company
linked to: Duke’s Company

King's Company
linked to: King’s Company
patron Charles II of England
James II of England
significantEvent reopening of public theatres in London
startTime 1660

How these facts were elicited

Referenced by (9)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

The Confederacy movement Restoration theatre
Restoration (England) culturalMovement Restoration comedy
subject linked to: Restoration
linked to: Restoration theatre
Augustan literature follows Restoration literature
linked to: Restoration theatre
Lord Foppington associatedWith English Restoration theatre
linked to: Restoration theatre
Lady Brute literaryPeriod Restoration literature
linked to: Restoration theatre
Rasor literaryTradition English Restoration theatre
linked to: Restoration theatre
Belinda literaryPeriod Restoration comedy
linked to: Restoration theatre
John Dryden movement Restoration literature
linked to: Restoration theatre
John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester movement Restoration literature
subject linked to: Earl of Rochester
linked to: Restoration theatre