British Enlightenment Theatre: Dramatizing Difference

Bridget Orr's work explores the role of popular eighteenth-century theatre in circulating and publicizing radical Enlightenment ideas, advocating for religious and cultural toleration, and protesting against imperial invasion and forced conversion. It also highlights the connection to freemasonry, which promoted the Enlightened agenda and invented the domestic tragedy genre.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 295 pages
Publication date: 06 January 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In this groundbreaking work, Bridget Orr delves into the rich tapestry of popular eighteenth-century theatre, revealing its profound significance beyond mere fashion, manners, and party politics. By utilizing the stage as a platform for circulating and publicizing radical Enlightenment ideas, numerous plays passionately advocated for religious and cultural toleration, while also raising fierce protests against imperial invasions and the coercive conversion of indigenous peoples by colonial Europeans. Irish and labouring-class dramatists, driven by their social and political concerns, crafted plays that often took place in rural settings, challenging the hierarchical structures of British society.

Yet, another intriguing facet of early eighteenth-century theatre remains largely unexplored. Freemasonry played a significant role in the theatrical landscape, with freemasons permeating the industry as actors, managers, prompters, scene painters, dancers, and musicians. They formed their own lodges, organized benefit performances, and cultivated specific audiences. Beyond promoting the Enlightened agenda of toleration and cosmopolitanism, freemason dramatists introduced a novel genre of domestic tragedy, which critically examined the consequences of commercial and colonial capitalism.

Through meticulous research and analysis, Orr uncovers the intricate connections between theatre, freemasonry, and the broader social and political context of the eighteenth century. She sheds light on the ways in which plays were used as tools for spreading Enlightenment ideals, challenging established power structures, and advocating for a more inclusive and equitable society. This book is a vital contribution to the field of theatre history, offering a fresh perspective on the complex interplay between culture, politics, and the arts in the early modern period.

Weight: 438g
Dimension: 163 x 228 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108731188
Edition number: New ed