Theatre Licensing Act of 1737 All plays must be approved by the Lord Chamberlain in advance He can demand revisions or forbid the play entirely This lasts until 1968 Spoken drama can only be produced at limiter number of patent theatres During 18th century at most three in London Pieces with significant musical or non narrative components can be produced elsewhere Effects emphasis on safer domestic plays return to older plays especially Shakespeare Theatre Production in the 18th Century Because of Theatre Licensing Act limited competition between theatres Continued rise of stars actor manager system Increasing emphasis on morality emotion Design often elaborate sets and costumes which could be reused from production to production Sentimental Comedies Also called weeping comedies End happily usually with marriage not necessarily funny Emphasize morality triumph of good over evil Characters often led astray but reform Example The Conscious Lovers by Richard Steele 1722 Arranged marriages rejected in favor of love matches Disparities in class fixed by discovery of young orphan s true father Laughing Comedy Generally comedy of manners plays rely on humor More similar to Restoration plays than sentimental comedies but with greater focus on morality Much less common Richard Brinsley Sheridan and Oliver Goldsmith are two who attempt this Richard Brinsley Sheridan 1751 1816 Born in Ireland Manager of Drury Lane Theatre for several years Gradually handed over management as he became more invested in politics Politician Member of Parliament for 32 years NOT actor Whig Party
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