Welcome
This website serves as your dramaturgy packet for Idle Muse's production of School for Scandal. You can start with the timeline below and continue through the site as directed, or you can navigate through the topics of your choosing using the top navigation menu.
Orient yourself in 18th century England
1660-1688
The heyday of Comedy of Manners in England
Charles II took the throne in 1660, restoring the monarchy and the Church of England. In 1685, James II, a Catholic inherited the throne, stirring up trouble as this was a time of religious divide in Europe.
The Enlightenment Begins
1685
The Enlightenment period, a time when European thinkers questioned traditional authority and embraced the idea that rational change could improve humanity, began in 1685 and continued through 1900. This period was marked by advancements in science, politics, and philosophy.
How did theatre change during the Enlightenment?
In the 17th century, theatre was squashed under the boots of religious zealots. The Enlightenment freed theatre makers to reflect and influence humanity.
As the middle class grew, theatre's began to cater to these newcomers who wanted sensationalism. Passionate and sentimental dramas and operas became popular. The growth of playhouses in London was discouraged by the Licensing Act of 1737, which gave the lord chamberlain extensive powers to censor all plays. Theatremakers got around this by including music in their plays.
The largest contributions to theatre were in comedies. Sentimental comedy or "tearful comedy" was a reaction to the sentimental dramas the middle class so loved.
Skip to 6:42 to watch John Green talk you through the shift from the Restoration Period into the Glorious Revolution
Glorious Revolution
1688
William of Orange (a protestant) invades, taking the throne from James II who flees the country. William III and his wife, Mary II (James’s eldest daughter), ruled jointly. The glorious revolution was initiated and controlled by conservatives, a rarity for revolutions. The Tories and the Whigs, parties who both hated Catholics, joined forces to revolt against King James II. This was the start of a period where the structure of the English government was precarious.
From the Glorious Revolution, through the time of our play (1777) England was often at war. First with France, who was a major trade power and the biggest Catholic power in Europe, posing a threat to England. From 1689-91, Ireland and France joined forces to try to resit James II on the throne. England won this war and punished Ireland, particularly Irish Catholics harshly.
Next, was The Fifteen, a Jacobite uprising that began in 1714 in England and Scotland but was quickly squashed.
England at war
1689-1715
Our playwright, Richard Sheridan (not born until 1751), was an Irish-born protestant.
1721
England passes the Calico Act, outlawing printed cotton fabrics to protect England's wool and silk industries. Printed cotton fabrics remained illegal until 1774. Instead of cotton, many of Britain's printed fabrics were linen.
The Hanover Dynasty Begins
1714
When Queen Anne died, the Stuart line died with her, and the Hanovers, enemies of the Tory party, were ushered in with King George I. The end of the Stuart line also marked the end of the Tory party, leaving the Whigs as England's only political party. King George I was not popular. He was boorish, refusing to learn English and showing no grace or manners. Enthusiasm around avoiding a civil war by crowing a Hanover quickly war off and the Jacobites began to clamor for the return of James II again.
King George II, the first George's son, was no better. He compensated for his extremely low self-esteem with a violent childish temper.
The War of Austrian Succession was actually a series of wars involving most of Europe's major powers. It began with conflict over who would take the Austrian throne, leading Prussia to invade Austria. Prussia allied itself with France, Bavaria, Spain, Sweden and Saxony. These powers fought against Britain, the United Provinces, and Russia, who supported Austria. The War of Austrian Succession also included:
War of Jenkins' Ear (1739-48)
The start of the War of Austrian Succession stemmed from a dispute over a British captain's severed ear, which he claims Spanish coast guards cut off when they stopped to search his ship in the Caribbean.
King George's War (1744-48)
This war between Great Britain and France took place in North America as the colonial powers fought over the borders between modern-day Canada and New England.
The War of Austrian Succession
1739-1748
Like I said... England was often at war
Richard Brinsley Sheridan
October 30, 1751
Richard Sheridan, our playwright, was born into a protestant family in Ireland. His father, Thomas Sheridan, was an actor, and his mother, Frances Sheridan was a novelist and playwright.
The Seven Years War
1754-1763 (yes, I know this is 9 years)
I told you. They were pretty much always at war
The peace treaty signed at the end of the War of Austrian Succession wasn't really a true peace agreement. It was more like a temporary truce. Austria wanted their land back, and the Anglo-French rivalry was still burning hot. John Green can tell you more about it if you're curious.
King George III
1760-1820
King George III took the throne after his grandfather's death. You may be familiar with King George III from his love song to the American colonies in Hamilton.
Boston Tea Party and the American Revolution
1773-1783
Hopefully, we all know about the American Revolution, but John Green can give you a nice refresher.
The School for Scandal premiered
1777
School for Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, often considered the greatest comedy of manners in English and George Washington's favorite play, premiered at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London.
1770s London
The end of the 18th century was a period of huge growth for London. In 1770, London's population was about 750,000 and by 1815 it would reach 1.4 million. London was an extremely diverse city with ranges of wealth and nationality, but it was also extremely segregated. Aristocrats lived in the West End while poorer communities lived port-side on the East End.
London was known as a marketplace for every kind of trade but it was also known for sex work and violence. Suicides were common. Executions were a public spectacle, and violent crime was high.
London dominated the culture of the English-speaking world. The city was outfitted with a huge number of coffee houses and theaters and was home to Britain's most influential authors, scientists, doctors and philosophers. You could find a lecture, exhibit, or debate to attend any day of the week. Theatre and literature found its audience in the wealthy residents of the West End.
