Kendra Drake, Deanna Mazdra, Trent Reese, & Adam Henry

Sentimental vs. Laughing Comedy

1714 Queen Anne died, succeeded by George I

1721 Robert Walpole is made king’s chief minister

1727 George I died, succeeded by his son George II

1742 Walpole resigned from office

1756 The Seven Years War between England and France began

1760 George II died, succeeded by George III

Government was divided into two parties Whigs Tories

History

A dramatic genre of the 18th Century

Aimed at producing tears rather than laughter

Gained popularity

Dominated stages

Sentimental Comedy

Supporters of the genreJames Lynch

CriticsBenjamin VictorOliver Goldsmith

Sentimental Comedy cont.

Two elements influenced theater

Drama turned full attention to the daily problems of its middle-class audiences.

Provided the underpinnings of the full-fledged melodrama

Sentimental Comedy cont.

The London merchant by George Lillo

The Recruiting Officer by George Farquhar

Plays of the Sentimental Period

Sir Richard Steele Born March 12, 1672 Irish writer and Politician Educated at the Charterhouse School Served in the British army First play The Christian Hero circa 1701 The became a dramatist and achieved some success Was appointed a position in the house of Prince George of Denmark Wrote over 400 letters to his second wife Mary. Founded 2 magazines- The Talter and The Spectator Became a member of Parliament in 1713 Knighted by George I of Great Britain Given responsibility over to the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London. Retired in 1719 Died September 1, 1729

Famous Play Write of the Sentimental Genre

How did it come about on the stage?

What made it so important in today’s society?

Laughing Comedy

Play Writes of the Laughing Comedy Genre

Richard Brinsley SheridanBorn October 30, 1751 Irish playwright and politician Son of an actor/managerEducated at Harrow School for LawQuite school and eloped at 21 and began a career in

entertainmentFirst play The Rivals January 17, 1775Directed his masterpiece School for Scandal in 1777 In 1778 he became owner of the Drury Lane TheatreEntered politics in 1780 A whig politician and great public speaker left politics in 1812Died in poverty July 7, 1816

The School for Scandal by Sir Brinsley Sheridan

The Rivals by Sir Brinsley Sheridan

Plays of the Laughing Comedy Genre