Politics and Theatrical Culture in Restoration England

This article explores the relationship between politics and the theatre in England between 1660 and 1688. Following a discussion of the place of the theatre within the broader political landscape, the article looks at the political nature of the drama during this period, outlining the various ways in which plays could comment upon contemporary politics, ranging from overt political satire to ‘impressionistic’ allegory to complex roman à clef. Additional political opportunities afforded by the publication of playtexts are also discussed. The article then examines the operation of politics in the playhouses themselves, including the behavior of actors, both onstage and off, and the close connections between the public theatres and the world of the royal court.