Early Theatre in Britain The Rise of Secular Drama Elizabethan Theatre  The Globe Shakespeare The Court Masque The Closure of the Theatres Restoration Drama  Royal Patents Restoration Actors

Drury Lane Ticket from 1732

When Charles II was restored to the throne in 1660 the theatre companies were quick to provide public performances again, initially in converted tennis courts. However their freedom was short lived and Charles II soon reorganised the theatre by creating a monopoly through royal patent. This licensed only two companies to produce theatre in London. Their theatres Lincoln ’s Inn Fields and Drury Lane became known as the ‘patent theatres’ and were managed and directed by Thomas Killigrew and William Davenant respectively.

Hester Booth

Rich's Glory, or His Triumphant Entry into Covent Garden

Charles II had a taste for the drama and opera he had seen in exile in France. He encouraged Killigrew and Davenant:

1. to introduce women on stage, thus breaking with the tradition of boy actors taking female roles.
2. to introduce moveable perspective scenery which revolutionised staging and the design of theatre buildings.

The royal patents also permitted a wide-ranging repertory: tragedies, comedies, plays, opera, musical theatre and dancing.

	Read The Bill for Restraining the Number of Hours for Playing of Interludes