Restoration Theatre Companies in England

Playwrights Killigrew and Davenant Receive King Charles’ Patents

Aug 19, 2009

The return of England's Charles II from exile in Europe, and his Coronation in 1661, meant that theatrical performances could resume.

In 1642, under the Puritan regime, all ‘frivolous’ entertainments were forbidden. Theatres were closed and demolished. Actors who dared perform even in small venues were arrested. Spectators could not safely be present during secret performances, for someone could report them. Small presentations were made in private homes or in places away from the city of London.

Dramatists, actors, and their supporters were anxious to have theatre life restored. Most of them wanted the pre-Civil War arrangement in which numerous acting companies competed. They were not pleased by King Charles’ decision.

Patents for Theatrical Companies

The King decided that only two acting companies would receive patents. “All other companies were banned from performance.”

On August 21, 1660, Charles granted permission to the playwrights Sir William Davenant and Sir Thomas Killigrew to establish two separate companies. Each was to assemble a company of actors and purchase or build appropriate theatres.

All types of performances were to be presented at those theatres, including tragedies, comedies, plays, and operas. Many believed that it was the King’s way of rewarding two of his courtiers. Both men’s careers spanned the period from Renaissance to Restoration.

Thomas Killigrew and King’s Company

The King’s Company of actors (many members from Renaissance King’s Men) was directly sponsored by Charles. Killigrew was given the rights to all plays from the pre-Restoration period, including William Davenant’s own works. He soon lost some of the rights when Davenant successfully petitioned the King.

In November 1660, Killigrew opened his theatre. The renovated tennis court was similar in style to the Blackfriars theatre where the King’s Men performed years before. His theatre was quite plain and had no scenery.

William Davenant and Duke’s Company

The Duke’s Company of actors was sponsored by King Charles’ brother, the Duke of York, who would later become King James II. By petitioning the King, Davenant was able to recover his own works from Thomas Killigrew. He was also given exclusive rights to nine of Shakespeare’s plays.

Davenant opened his theatre (also a remodeled tennis court) in June 1661. Designed with a large arch over the stage, it had moveable scenery painted on sliding panels.

Audiences Less Political During Restoration

The plays were less political than they had been during the Renaissance. Audiences were pleased that they could attend public performances. They were also wary of any indications of underlying political strife. They did not want plays that delivered religious or political dogmatism.

The two theatre ventures were quite successful for several years, and the competition remained strong. Killigrew had more experienced actors, but Davenant had more innovative ideas, such as spectacular stage scenery, to draw audiences. .

Davenant and Killigrew offered works by new playwrights as well as adaptations of Renaissance plays. The patents granted to them stipulated that old plays should be reformed and made fit. That may have been a measure to placate anti-theatrical opinion. Davenant, in particular, was quite involved in writing adaptations.

Many ideas brought from France by King Charles and his supporters were adopted by the theatre companies. The works of John Dryden, Aphra Behn and William Wycherley were often presented. Actresses such as Nell Gwyn and Elizabeth Barry were fully accepted by audiences.

Theatre Royal in Drury Lane

In 1663, Killigrew moved to his new theatre known as Theatre Royal on Bridges Street. Destroyed by fire in 1672, it was replaced by a larger theatre designed by Christopher Wren and renamed Theatre Royal in Drury Lane in 1674.

William Davenant, Poet Laureate, died in 1668. His leading actor, Thomas Betterton took control of the company. He and Davenant’s family built the large, elaborate Duke’s Theatre in Dorset Garden which opened in 1671.

The two acting companies merged in 1682 to form the United Company. The Duke’s Theatre in Dorset Garden became the venue for opera, music, and spectaculars and was demolished in 1709.

Theatre Royal at Drury Lane was the venue for dramatic plays. In 1791, it was demolished and replaced in 1794 by a new theatre that seated 3600 patrons.

Destroyed by fire in 1809, a slightly smaller theatre was opened on the site in 1812.

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The copyright of the article Restoration Theatre Companies in England in Restoration Theatre is owned by Kathleen Airdrie. Permission to republish Restoration Theatre Companies in England in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.