The Business of English Restoration Theatre, 1660–1700

Deborah C. Payne explores how the duopoly of 1660 impacted company practices, stagecraft, the box office, and actors and writers.

Deborah C. Payne (Author)

9781009398213, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 13 June 2024

302 pages
23.5 x 16.1 x 2.1 cm, 0.59 kg

'The Business of English Restoration Theatre, 1660–1700 combines rich original argument, dazzling archival research, and elegant, witty prose to reveal the historical contingency of the 'indisputable brilliance' of Restoration drama – its canny practices as both 'elite theatre' and 'tough business.' This book has rearranged all sorts of 'facts' I thought I knew well, introducing me to a persuasively fascinating new world.' Cynthia Wall, University of Virginia

Deborah C. Payne's ground-breaking study traces the historical origins of a dilemma still bedevilling theatre companies: how to reconcile audience demand for novelty with profitability. As a solution, English acting companies in 1660 adopted an unprecedented theatrical duopoly. Implicit to its economic logic were scarcity, prestige, and innovation: attributes that, it was hoped, would generate wealth and exclusivity. Changes to playhouse architecture, stagecraft, dramatic repertory, and company practices were undertaken to create this new, upmarket theatre of “great expences.” So powerful was the promise of the duopoly and so enthralling the wholesale transformation of the theatrical marketplace that management—despite dwindling box office—resisted change for 35 years. Drawing upon network and behavioural economic theory, Professor Payne shows why the acting companies clung to an economic model inimical to their self-interest. Original archival research further bolsters this radically new perspective on an exciting and crucial period in English theatre. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

1. The theatre as gift: networks, patronage, and personality
2. The economics of scarcity and prestige: performance practices and repertory
3. The culture of improvement and 'great expences': neighborhoods, playhouses, and stagecraft
4. Not keeping up: rival commodities, pastimes, and entertainments
5. Fame and famine: writing for the stage
6. Stardom and sedulousness: acting for the stage.

Subject Areas: Theatre studies [AN]