In the early years of the 19th century restrictions of the Licensing Act allowed plays to be shown at only two theatres in London - Drury Lane
and Covent Garden. Their programme was predominantly Shakespearean although some contemporary writers like Sheridan (who managed Drury Lane
until 1809) were also popular.
To escape the restrictions of the royal patents, non-patent theatres interspersed dramatic scenes with musical interludes. Melodrama and burlesque with
their short scenes and musical accompaniment were popular at this time. Indeed melodrama was so popular that it was also produced in the
patent theatres.
The huge growth in demand for theatrical entertainment in the early 19th century made the patent theatres’ system unworkable. Theatres had sprung up across London
and the boundaries between what was allowed in the patent theatres (legitimate drama) and what was presented in other theatres (illegitimate theatre) had become blurred.
In the 1830s J.R.Planché a writer of burlesques, and later famous as a Pantomime writer, created a sketch starring the characters of Mother Drama, and her two sons
- Legitimate Drama and Illegitimate Drama. This burlesqued the Licensing Act and coined the terms legitimate and illegitimate drama.
In 1843 the Licensing Act was dropped enabling other theatres to present plays.
Introduction
The Old Price Riots
