Mastering the Revels: The Regulation and Censorship of Early Modern Drama

Mastering the Revels explores how the governments of Elizabeth I, James I, and Charles I regulated fixed playhouses and resident playing companies in London and censored their plays. It focuses on the Masters of the Revels, who sought out theatrical entertainment for the court and oversaw the players and their playhouses. The book follows the chronology of Edmund Tilney, Sir George Buc, Sir John Astley, and Sir Henry Herbert, examining their powers, the scandalous plays they staged, and the challenges they faced. Manuscripts of censored plays and Herbert's office-book provide insights into their professional lives and the difficulties they encountered.

Format: Hardback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 14 July 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Mastering the Revels delves into the intricate measures undertaken by the governments of Elizabeth I, James I, and Charles I to regulate the emerging phenomenon of fixed playhouses and resident acting companies in London. It specifically focuses on the Masters of the Revels, whose primary responsibility was to procure theatrical entertainment for the court, but their role gradually encompassed oversight of the players and their playhouses. The book follows a chronological approach, tracing the lives and careers of Edmund Tilney (served 1579-1610), Sir George Buc (1610-22), Sir John Astley (1622-3), and Sir Henry Herbert (1623-1642). Tilney was the first to be granted a Special Commission, granting him extensive authority over the players. The book delves into the details of Buc's initial involvement and explores the parallel history of the Children of the Queen's Revels, who between 1604 and 1608 staged some of the most scandalous plays of the era. Astley succeeded Buc, but soon sold the office to Herbert, who served until the closure of the theatres. Manuscripts of plays censored by Tilney, Buc, and Herbert have survived, providing valuable insights into their concerns and censorship practices. Additionally, a significant portion of Herbert's office book has been preserved, offering a detailed account of his professional life, including interactions with the court and the players. It sheds light on the challenges he faced, such as navigating popular demands for war against Spain, resistance to Archbishop Laud's reforms of the church, and the problematic presence of Henrietta Maria as a Catholic queen to Charles I. Through meticulous research and analysis, Mastering the Revels offers a comprehensive exploration of the regulatory measures, theatrical practices, and political complexities of the early modern English theatre.

Weight: 780g
Dimension: 165 x 240 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198819455