THAR 281 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Proscenium, William Davenant
Document Summary
Painted canvas backdrops and painted arches: technology for changing scenery. Put i(cid:374) pla(cid:272)e to (cid:373)o(cid:448)e (cid:862)(cid:449)i(cid:374)g a(cid:374)d shutter(cid:863) s(cid:455)ste(cid:373) Costumes: contemporary clothing standard, wore whatever made actors comfortable or look the best, no attempt at historical accuracy with costuming. Lighting: windows, candles, not as simple as it is today, entire play by candle light and day light, no dimming lights, etc. Serious drama during the restoration: restoration tragedy, heroic tragedy, no noteworthy tragedies in this time period (although plays were still classified as tragedies, centered on love and honor, usually uplifting. Comedy during the restoration: farce, found in commedia, oldest form of comedy, exaggerated physical activity, character types are exaggerated, extreme and ludicrous happenings, comedies of intrigue, daring exploits of romance and adventure, complicated plots. Often plot twists: comedies of manner, satirizes the manners and affectations of a social class, specifically the upper (cid:272)lass" fashio(cid:374)s a(cid:374)d faults, gossip, adultery, sexual escapades.