Charles II

Charles II took away the oppressive power of the Puritans and allowed England to be a more free society (Pullen 24). He lifted restrictions related to theatre and festivals since his father’s tyrannical behaviour led to a civil war (White). He was a lover of theatre, and had affairs with many of the actresses. Charles II was responsible for allowing women to participate as actresses in the theatre world. In 1661, he decreed that all female parts would be played by women, resulting in equal casting for men and women (Pullen 24). By having relationships with these lower class women, he blurred the lines between upper and lower class (24). He had many mistresses, but an actress named Nell Gwyn stood out.

 

 

The Puritans

 William Prynne, author of Histriamastix  — the famous Puritan diatribe against theatres and actors — wrote among his protests that “‘They have now their female-players in Italy, and other foreign parts – and in Michaelmas 1629 they had French women-actors in a play personated at Blackfriars, to which there was a great resort” (Castle-Smith 31). “‘Glad am I to say,’ gloated another staunch Puritan Thomas Brand ‘they were hissed, hooted, and pippin-pelted from the stage, so that I do not think they will soon be ready to try the same again’” (Doran 66).

Puritan influence in Parliament was responsible for closing theatres in 1642 for the duration of the civil wars and the Interregnum that followed. Puritans, as radical Protestants, had never been supporters of theatre, calling it “ungodly” (Castle-Smith 33). It should come as no surprise then that they objected to women appearing on stage. Puritans Thomas Brand and William Prynne in the quotes above disapproved of the foreign theatre company that arrived in England in the late 1620s; they were pleased that the French actresses were not received well (31). Puritans were concerned that having women on stage gave them an outlet to display themselves (31). However, Charles II countered this argument by pointing out the inappropriateness of having men dress in drag to play female roles (Roach 31).

Want more history? Check out this helpful video on the rulers of England during the Restoration!